A case of horseshoe lung simulating intralobar sequestration

Abstract

Horseshoe lung is a very rare congenital respiratory and vascular malformation characterized by fusion of the bases of the bilateral lungs across the middle mediastinum. It is commonly associated with cardiovascular malformations, such as Scimitar syndrome. Young patients with horseshoe lung may develop recurrent pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension, which can sometimes be fatal. However, if symptoms are not clinically severe, follow-up alone may be appropriate. We report a case of horseshoe lung with suspected intralobar sequestration revealed by preoperative computed tomography. There are only a few reported cases of horseshoe lung and they present with a wide variety of findings. Diagnosis of this congenital malformation requires attention to arteriovenous and bronchial findings, as well as to the lungs.