Developmental Abnormalities of the Respiratory System ✅ Flashcards
What can congenital anomalies in the lungs be classified into?
Malformations in;
- Tracheobronchial tree
- Distal lung parenchyma
- Pulmonary arterial and venous trees and the lymphatics
At what stage of development do most pulmonary malformations arise?
During the embryonic and pseudo glandular stages
Can insults during the neonatal period lead to pulmonary malformations?
Yes
How can insults during the neonatal period cause pulmonary malformations?
Acute lung injury may alter subsequent alveolar and airway growth and development
What are the most common pulmonary and extra-pulmonary malformations?
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Congenital pulmonary airway malformations
- Tracheo-oesophageal fistula
- Bronchopulmonary sequestaration
- Congenital hydrothorax
What is the incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)?
1 in 2000-3000 births
In what proportion of cases is CDH an isolated lesion?
2/3
When might CDH not be an isolated lesion?
Can be part of a syndrome including chromosomal anomalies
What does CDH result from?
Failure of normal development of the diaphragm during the first trimester
What are the types of CDH?
- Posterior lateral defect
- Anterior or central portion defect
- Complete absence of diaphragm
- Eventration
Are posterior lateral CDHs more common on left or right?
Left
Which of the types of CDH is not a true hernia?
Eventration
What does eventration result from?
Failure of muscle development in the primitive diaphragm
How severe is CDH?
Produces spectrum of severity, from very mild pulmonary hypoplasia causing minimal clinical compromise, to severe cases that are incompatible with life
How does CDH lead to respiratory compromise?
The compression of fetal lungs results in lung hypoplasia
On which side is the lung hypoplasia more severe in CDH?
Lung ipsilateral to the defect
What can be compromised in severe cases of CDH?
Cardiac function
What happens to infants with CDH following delivery?
Can be further cardiorespiratory compromise
What causes further cardiorespiratory compromise following delivery in infants with CDH?
Gaseous distention of the intrathoracic gut
When is gaseous distention causing further compromise in CDH a particular hazard?
In babies given bag-valve-mask ventilation
What commonly develops as a result of CDH?
Pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)
Why does PPHN commonly develop in CDH?
Due to pulmonary hypoplasia (including abnormalities of the pulmonary vasculature) and poor oxygenation following delivery
When might the presentation of CDH be delayed?
In mild cases
What treatment option is used for severe CDH?
Fetal surgery
What fetal surgical option is used in severe CDH?
Fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO)
What is the purpose of FETO in severe CDH?
Promote lung growth and limit pulmonary hypoplasia
How is FETO performed?
Using fetal tracheoscopy, a balloon is inserted
When is FETO ideally performed for CDH?
26-28 weeks
When is the occlusion reversed in FETO surgery for CDH?
34 weeks
What is the limitation of FETO for CDH?
It offers little benefit, and its use should be limited to clinical trial
How is CDH managed at delivery if diagnosed antenatally?
- Avoid face mask ventilation
- Intubation and artificial ventilation as soon as possible
- Continuous drainage (decompression) of gas from abdomen is started
Why is face mask ventilation avoided at birth in CDH?
It distends the GI tract