Bronchopulmonary foregut malformations. The spectrum of anomalies.

Ventral anomalies of accessory pulmonary tissue have been classified as "bronchopulmonary foregut malformations." Between July 1, 1981, and May 31, 1985, 10 children with bronchopulmonary malformations have been cared for on the Pediatric Surgical Service at the University of Virginia. Six patients had bronchogenic cysts, one in an extrathoracic location and one associated with a pulmonary sequestration. Diagnosis was suspected in each case by plain chest radiographs and confirmed by computed tomography scans and ultrasound. Four patients had pulmonary sequestrations, two in association with diaphragmatic hernias. One patient had accessory pulmonary tissue, best classified as a tracheal lobe. Diagnosis in this patient was confirmed by bronchography. Nine patients underwent excision of the malformation without event. In one patient, a bronchogenic cyst was treated successfully by thoracoscopy. Review of the anatomy of these malformations leads to the conclusion that three embryologic events are cardinal in determining their ultimate form: (1) investment of the anomalous pulmonary tissue by the pulmonary artery; (2) the degree of involution of the original foregut communication; and (3) the stage of development leading to pleural investment.