Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Subpleural lung cysts in Down syndrome: prevalence and association with coexisting diagnoses

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Although subpleural cysts are known to be associated with Down syndrome, their etiology and prevalence remains unknown.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of subpleural cysts in children with Down syndrome and the association with prematurity, congenital heart disease (CHD), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and chronic ventilator support.

Materials and methods

A review of the CT examinations of 25 children with Down syndrome was performed to determine the presence, location, and distribution of cysts along with associated abnormalities. Charts were reviewed and coexistent diagnoses and past treatments were recorded.

Results

The prevalence of subpleural cysts was 36% with no significant association with CHD, ECMO, or chronic ventilator support. An association was found in the two children with a history of prematurity. The cysts were most commonly found in the anteromedial portion of the lung.

Conclusion

Subpleural cysts are common in Down syndrome and should not be confused with another pathological process. An association with prematurity was found, but the low number of children in this study makes the connection uncertain. The etiology remains unclear, but it has been hypothesized that the cysts are associated with lung hypoplasia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gonzalez OR, Gomez IG, Recaide AL et al (1991) Postnatal development of the cystic lung lesion of Down syndrome: suggestion that the cause is reduced formation of peripheral air spaces. Pediatr Pathol 11:623–633

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Joshi VV, Kasznica J, Ali Khan MA et al (1986) Cystic lung disease in Down’s syndrome: a report of two cases. Pediatr Pathol 5:79–86

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gyves-Ray K, Kirchner S, Sten S et al (1994) Cystic lung disease in Down syndrome. Pediatr Radiol 24:137–138

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Cooney TP, Thurlbeck WM (1982) Pulmonary hypoplasia in Down’s syndrome. New Engl J Med 307:1170–1173

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Tyrrell VJ, Asher MI, Chan Y (1999) Subpleural lung cysts in Down’s syndrome. Pediatr Pulmonol 28:145–148

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Pennsylvania Hospital, 800 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    David M. Biko

  2. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Michael Schwartz, Sudha A. Anupindi & Talissa A. Altes

  3. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Talissa A. Altes

Authors
  1. David M. Biko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael Schwartz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sudha A. Anupindi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Talissa A. Altes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David M. Biko.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Biko, D.M., Schwartz, M., Anupindi, S.A. et al. Subpleural lung cysts in Down syndrome: prevalence and association with coexisting diagnoses. Pediatr Radiol 38, 280–284 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0699-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0699-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation