Sonographic Appearance of Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformations

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation, also known as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, is the most common congenital lung malformation of the lower respiratory tract. Congenital pulmonary airway malformation lesions fall into five classifications based on respiratory tract origin and cystic characteristics. Sonographic appearance varies from echolucent cysts to an echogenic, solid-appearing mass within the lungs. Fetal mediastinal shift, pulmonary hypoplasia, and hydrops can occur, depending on the size of the lesion. A case is presented with sonography to characterize the lesion.