A Case of Congenital Atresia of Left B^9

Abstract

We report a case of congenital bronchial atresia (CBA) in an asymptomatic 15-year-old male in whom an elliptical opacity was detected in the left lower lung field in a medical check-up. Chest CT revealed a lesion resembling mucoid impaction and hyperradiolucency in the S^9 and S^<10> of the left lung. The lesion showed high signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted MR images. Three-dimension CT (3D-CT) suggested obstruction proximal to the site of dilation bronchial (left B^9b). Bronchoscopy revealed obstruction of left B^9b. CBA was diagnosed but the patient has been asymptomatic. The frequency of CBA in the left lower lobe is 14.3%. 3D-CT is useful in the diagnosis of bronchial obstruction. We also reviewed 61 previously reported cases in Japan to more clearly define this unusual entity.