Cystic Lung Disease

Also known as: multiple cystic lung disease, lung cysts, bronchogenic cysts, cystic adenomatous malformation of the lung, lobar emphysema and pulmonary sequestration, acquired cystic lung disease.

What is cystic lung disease?

Cystic lung diseases may be:

Congenital: There are 4 different clinical types of congenital cystic (a sac filled with fluid, air, or other material) lung disease found; they include:
- Bronchogenic cysts.
- Cystic adenomatous malformation of the lung.
- Lobar emphysema.
- Pulmonary sequestration.

They all occur secondary to an abnormality of lung development during intrauterine life.
Or

Acquired. These include:
- Post infectious pulmonary cysts.
- Acute and persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema.
- Post infarction peripheral cysts.
- Cystic form of pleuropulmonary blastoff.

What causes cystic lung disease?

Either a developmental abnormality of unknown cause (genetic and/or environmental) or as a result of another disease process.

What are the symptoms of cystic lung disease?

They may present as breathing difficulties after birth, be asymptomatic being discovered accidentally when the child’s chest is x-rayed, or present as frequent episodes of respiratory infections (pneumonia or wheezing).