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Pediatric Radiology

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01-10-2017 | Original Article

Diagnosis of secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia in congenital heart disease: a novel role for chest ultrasound and prognostic implications

Authors: Christopher Z. Lam, Tanmay Anant Bhamare, Tamadhir Gazzaz, David Manson, Tilman Humpl, Mike Seed

Published in: Pediatric Radiology | Issue 11/2017

Abstract

Background

Secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a complication of congenital heart disease that results from chronic pulmonary venous obstruction.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the performance of chest ultrasound (US) in diagnosing secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia and to review the clinical course of children with secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia.

Materials and methods

Chest US was performed on 26 children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection or cor triatriatum in a prospective observational study. Thirteen children had pulmonary venous obstruction (62% male; median age: 17 days old, range: 1–430 days old) and 13 children did not have obstruction (62% male; median age: 72 days old, range: 4–333 days old). US features of secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia were documented and diagnostic performance was determined. Clinical course of patients with secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia was reviewed.

Results

Eleven of 13 (84.6%) patients in the obstructed group had a clinical and/or biopsy diagnosis of secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia. Statistically significant chest US criteria for diagnosis were presence of irregular lung surface (likelihood ratio [LR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9–25.1), subpleural cystic appearing structures (LR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2–10.7), and combination of subpleural cystic appearing structures and surface irregularity together (LR 10.9, 95% CI 1.6–75.0). Seven of 11 (63.6%) patients with secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia died during follow-up, the majority due to cardiopulmonary failure or complications.

Conclusion

Chest US is an accurate and reproducible bedside method for diagnosing secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia in patients with pulmonary venous obstruction. These patients may have worse prognoses.

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Title: Diagnosis of secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia in congenital heart disease: a novel role for chest ultrasound and prognostic implications
Authors: Christopher Z. Lam
Tanmay Anant Bhamare
Tamadhir Gazzaz
David Manson
Tilman Humpl
Mike Seed
Publication date: 01-10-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Pediatric Radiology / Issue 11/2017
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-3892-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Diagnosis of secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia in congenital heart disease: a novel role for chest ultrasound and prognostic implications

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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