Bronchial Atresia

Bill LeeAcc# 115057

“Gus” Hudson5 mo. Male WeimaranerChronic upper airway noise, congestion,

coughing since purchased at 8 wks. of age+ TTW at rDVM – Manheimia hemolyticaSeveral AbxInitially resolves but returns

Bronchoscopy

Intrathoracic tracheal stricture Bx – fibrosis and suppurative inflammation

Bronchi off right and left caudal lobar bronchus ended abruptly in a “blind pouch” or “membrane”

Resolving aspiration pneumonia

CT

Bronchial Atresia

Unknown Etiology Sequela to pulm. vascular insult during fetal

dev. Separation of the bronchial bud (similar to

bronchogenic cysts) Results in distal bronchi that do not

communicate with prox. airwaysMost (humans) are asymptomatic

Recurrent inf., dyspnea, cough, wheezing

Bronchial Atresia

Imaging findings Branching, tubular, ovoid or spherical mass

(possibly cavitated w/ fluid line) “bronchocoele” – impacted with bronchial secretions

Mass surrounded by hyperinflated lung w/ decreased vasc. markings air can enter airways distal to obstruction via one

way valves (pores of Kohn, canals of Lambert) cannot exit via bronchial tree

Lung lobe distal to obstruction may develop pneumonia

Other conditions may result in a bronchocoele Bronchial F.B. Broncholith Stricture Neoplasia Asthma

Bronchial Atresia

Imaging considered essential for DX CT is modality of choice

Bronchoscopy can be normal