Congenital Bronchial Atresia: Radiologic Findings in Nine Patients

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to describe the radiologic findings to diagnose congenital bronchial atresia. METHODS: Chest radiographs, CT scans, and MRI of nine patients with congenital bronchial atresia were reviewed. RESULTS: Six patients (67%) had hilar mass-like shadows and hyperlucency of the peripheral lung field on chest radiographs. On chest CT scans, all patients demonstrated mucocele, occlusion of bronchus central to mucocele, and emphysematous change of the peripheral lung field. On chest MRI, performed in seven patients, all mucoceles demonstrated very high signal intensity on T2-weighted image, indicating that mucoceles were filled with fluid. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of congenital bronchial atresia can be confirmed based on the findings of chest CT: mucocele, occlusion of bronchus central to mucocele, and emphysematous change of the peripheral lung field.