Abstract

Because early embryonic development of the tracheobronchial tree and foregut are closely associated, there is a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies involving either one or both organ systems. We analysed a total of 89 surgical and autopsy cases that are assumed to belong to congenital bronchopulmonary foregut malformation from the files of Seoul National University Hospital and Children's Hospital during the periord of 1961~1990. We also reviewed the serial sections of the embryos and fetuses from 3 weeks to fifteen weeks fertilization age for the observation of tracheobronchial and esophageal trees. Intralobar sequestrations(25 cases) and extralobar pulmonary sequestrations(4 cases) with patent, involuted-partial or complete-communication with the alimentary tract, tracheoesophageal fistula(30 cases) with or without esophageal atresia, esophageal atresia, esophageal stenosis due to tracheobroncheal remnant(4 cases), foregut duplication cysts(3 cases), esophageal or gastric diverticulum(1 cases), and bronchogenic cysts(22 cases) are included in this analysis(Table 1). Through this study, we confirmed the unifying concept of "bronchopulmonary forgut malformations". We believe a common embryologic pathogenesis leads to the formation of a previously described spectrum of malformations.

• Keywords: Bronchopulmonary foregut malformation;Pulmonary sequestration;Tracheoesophageal fistula;Tracheobronchial remnant;