Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung tipe II: three cases report

Abstract

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare congenital lung lesion. It may appear since birth (30-35%) with difficulty breathing or may have a late onset (60- 65%) with recurring pulmonary infections or growth failure; in a small percentage of cases, the lesion can be completely asymptomatic. Fetal or post-natal surgery can be used as surgical treatment of these lesions. Postnatal surgery consists of a lobectomy, bilobectomy or pneumonectomy, based on the size of the lesion. The best age to undergo this surgery is around 2 years, but only if the injury is stable and the child has no complications. The study describes three cases of CCAM, observed at the Pediatric Surgery Section of the University of Siena. We analyzed those 3 cases whose approach was defined by the onset of symptoms, age and clinical condition of patients. In the first case the surgery was performed a few hours after birth due to the worsening of the clinical conditions; in the other two cases it was delayed because the patients were asymptomatic. The purpose of this study is to review the management of patients with CCAM in relation to clinical onset and the type of injury.