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Congenital bronchocele

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Persistent cough. 40 pack year smoker.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
ct

Branching low density structure in the left upper lobe with surrounding hyperlucency. 20 mm right upper lobe pulmonary nodule. No lymphadenopathy. 

Case Discussion

Congenital bronchoceles are the result of bronchial atresia. The key to making the diagnosis is the hyperlucency around the bronchocele representing trapped collateral air drift. The right upper lobe nodule was proven to be a typical carcinoid after wedge resection. 

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