Right pulmonary agenesis of one fetus in a monochorionic twin pregnancy: A case report.

Choi, Mi Rang; Kwak, Se Hyoun; Cheun, Ju Young; We, Ji Sun; Lee, Yong; Shin, Jong Chul

doi:2011.54.5.260

Case Report

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2011;54(5):260-264.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.5.260 Published online May 1, 2011.

Right pulmonary agenesis of one fetus in a monochorionic twin pregnancy: A case report.

Mi Rang Choi, Se Hyoun Kwak, Ju Young Cheun, Ji Sun We, Yong Lee, Jong Chul Shin

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sunnywe@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Unilateral pulmonary agenesis is uncommon congenital malformation which refers to total absence of pulmonary parenchyma and blood vessels as well as bronchia beyond the tracheal bifurcation. And, it is rarely to make prenatal diagnosis. Indirect prenatal sonographic findings in this malformation include mediastinal shift of the heart together with lack of evidence of diaphragmatic hernia. And more reliable diagnosis is obtained by Doppler sonographic finding with lack of branching of the pulmonary artery. Its prognosis depends largely on the presence of associated other congenital anomalies. But unilateral pulmonary agenesis does not result in the death of the infant and is compatible with long-term survival. So, selective termination is not recommended. In the case herein, right pulmonary agenesis of one fetus in a monochorionic twin pregnancy was diagnosed by prenatal sonography. We describe this case with a brief review of the literature.

Key Words: Unilateral pulmonary agenesis, Mediastinal shift, Prenatal diagnosis