Accuracy of prenatal and postnatal imaging for management of congenital lung malformations.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of prenatal and postnatal imaging modalities for evaluation and management of congenital lung malformations (CLMs).

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all fetuses evaluated for a CLM between December 2001 and January 2018. Pre and postnatal imaging findings, operative treatment, and patient outcomes were collected. Patients were included in analysis if they had fetal imaging (US and/or fetal MRI), a postnatal chest CT, and surgical pathology.

RESULTS

Over the study period, we identified 157 patients with prenatal imaging that also had a follow-up with postnatal chest CT at a median age of 2.1 [1.4, 3.2] months. Of these, 75% (n = 117) had surgical resection. Diagnostic accuracy (DA) for localization of unilobar lesions was 100% for pre- and postnatal imaging and 97% vs 98% for multilobar disease, respectively. On comparison for identification of aberrant vasculature and pathology prediction, pre- and postnatal imaging DAs were similar. However, postnatal CT had the highest specificity for diagnosing lesions overall (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Prenatal imaging provides valuable information for counseling and possible fetal intervention. However, this study suggests that postnatal CT scan continues to provide important information for preoperative counseling and surgical management.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.