Post-Natal Spontaneous Resolution of a Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation in an Infant: Plain Radiographic and CT Manifestations

We present a case of a near-term infant who developed respiratory distress, shortly after birth. Chest X-ray showed a right sided tension pneumothorax (PTX) with a large air containing structure at the base of the right hemithorax. The pneumothorax was partially evacuated with needle aspiration at which time the patient became asymptomatic, despite a small residual pneumothorax. CT scan of the chest confirmed a multilocular air-filled structure within the right lower lobe, most likely consistent with a congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). Subsequently, there was spontaneous resolution of the PTX and CPAM prior to surgical intervention. This case illustrates post-natal spontaneous resolution of a CPAM, thus obviating the need for surgical removal.