Right Lung Agenesis with Dextrocardia: A Case Mismanaged as Pneumonia

Abstract

Pulmonary agenesis is an extremely rare congenital anomaly with an incidence varying between 1/10,000 and 12,000 births. It is defined as complete absence of bronchus, parenchyma, and vessels which may vary in degrees of severity. A variety of congenital malformations of skeletal, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems are associated which is more commonly seen with the right-sided agenesis. It usually presents with respiratory distress and misdiagnosed as pneumonia. Herein, we are reporting a case of right lung agenesis in a 2-month-old infant who presented with dyspnea, fever, and cough since birth and were provisionally diagnosed and managed as pneumonia. The true diagnosis came to light after a computed tomography study of thorax was done to explore the cause of white-out right hemithorax seen on chest radiograph. The patient was conservatively managed and is asymptomatic after 10 months of follow-up. In this case report, we would like to highlight the importance of computerized tomography in evaluating such confounding scenarios.

Keywords

• agenesis
• aplasia
• dextrocardia
• lung
• pneumonia
• white-out hemithorax.