A surgical treatment for middle lobe syndrome in childhood

Abstract

We reported a surgical treatment for middle lobe syndrome in childhood. The patient was a 12-year-old boy having recurrent pneumonitis since the age of 2 years. Various examinations revealed no stenotic or obstructive findings, tumor, or foreign body in his lung, but atelectasis and pneumonitis occurred recurrently. The atelectasis and pneumonitis were localized to the right middle lobe and left lingular segment, and they were thought to be irreversible diseases because of chronic inflammation for a long period. As medical treatment for 2 months was not effective, right middle lobectomy and left lingular segmentectomy were performed.
Resected speciments revealed bronchiectasis, fibrosis and chronic pneumonitis. He has had no recurrence of pneumonitis after operation and has been very well. The operative treatment was thought to be effective for this patient.