Follow-up and management of the prenatally diagnosed lung cyst

A newborn was diagnosed prenatally as having a cystic lesion in the right lung. Following an uneventful labor, an asymptomatic child was born. The child was followed to the age of 11 months, when the cyst became infected. After stabilization, a bronchogenic cyst was excised. This case and review of the literature emphasize the good prenatal prognosis, in the absence of hydrops fetalis or hypoplastic lung. Postnatally, the asymptomatic infant who may never have been diagnosed in the past, is faced with elective thoracotomy and its inherent morbidity. Cyst resection is nevertheless probably recommended, at 1 to 2 years of age, because of the risk of infection, inhibition of lung growth by compression and anecdotal reports of malignant change. Long-term follow up is required.