World Journal of Pediatrics

, Volume 5, Issue 1, pp 68–70 | Cite as

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasis

  • Zuo-Yuan Xiao
  • Yu Tao
  • Xin-Yi Tang
  • Guo-Juan Chen
  • Lei Guo
Case Report

Abstract

Background

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasis (CPL) characterized by dilatation of pulmonary lymphatic vessels occurs as a congenital anomaly. With poor prognosis, neonatal presentation of bilateral CPL is associated with the severe compromise of pulmonary gas exchange and high mortality.

Methods

A male infant born at 39 weeks of gestation was found to have CPL. Cyanosis and cardiac arrest occurred a few minutes after birth, and the symptoms remained after artificial ventilation. The infant died of hypoxemic cardiac failure 45 minutes after birth. Autopsy showed neither pleural effusion nor valvular abnormalities.

Results

Microscopically dilated vessels with lymphatics were seen in the lung of the infant. Atelectasis, CPL, inhalation of amniotic fluid, partial hydropic degeneration of hepatic cells, and scrotal edema were diagnosed.

Conclusion

With regard to treatment and prognosis, CPL must be distinguished from interstitial emphysema and other diseases.

Key words

congenital disease neonate pulmonary lymphangiectasis 

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Copyright information

© Springer 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Zuo-Yuan Xiao
    • 1
  • Yu Tao
    • 2
  • Xin-Yi Tang
    • 1
  • Guo-Juan Chen
    • 1
  • Lei Guo
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of General PediatricsThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
  2. 2.Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhouChina

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