Purpose or Case Report: Congenital chest lesions include a wide array of pathology with overlapping imaging characteristics. With prenatal MRI, more congenital chest lesions will be able to detect sooner. We will demonstrate the spectrum of pediatric congenital chest lesions and their key imaging findings
Methods & Materials: Congenital chest lesions are many and can be difficult to approach. Evaluation of the various pediatric chest abnormalities depends on radiologic assessment with different imaging techniques to aid in diagnosis by using radiography, CT, MRI. The abnormalities are described with emphasis on the specific imaging characteristics which help distinguish each abnormality.
Results: The range of congenital chest abnormalities is broad and encompasses a spectrum of normal to abnormal vasculature with normal to abnormal lung. This educational exhibit shows the most commonly seen lesions and their imaging findings.
1. Normal vasculature-abnormal lung: Bronchogenic cyst, bronchial atresia (figure1) congenital lobar hyperinflation(figure2), congenital pulmonary airway malformation, tracheoesophageal fistula(figure 3).
2. Abnormal vasculature-abnormal lung: Sequestration (intralobar and extralobar), scimitar syndrome
3. Abnormal vasculature-normal lung: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, pulmonary sling
4. Other chest pathology: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Conclusions: The pediatric chest can be affected by a wide variety of potential abnormalities. Recognition of the imaging appearance of the many different pediatric chest abnormalities is important to aid in prompt diagnosis and to help guide treatment. By grouping these lesions using the above the categories, congenital chest lesions can be more easily approached and diagnosed by the radiologist, leading to optimal patient care.