Complex case of congenital pulmonary sequestration with successful “EXIT” procedure
The ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure preserves fetal oxygenation via the umbilical cord in urgent respiratory distress. We report a rare case of congenital extralobar pulmonary sequestration with pedicle torsion. A 22-year-old primigravida at 29 + 4 weeks presented with a fetal supradiaphragmatic mass, hydrothorax, and cardiac displacement; fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed pulmonary sequestration. Rapid fetal deterioration led to the termination of the pregnancy and the application of ex-utero intrapartum treatment procedure during Cesarean section. Before cord clamping, intubation along with thoracocentesis enabled neonatal breathing. The 2140 g newborn required intensive care for respiratory distress, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension and was discharged stable after 3 weeks. Elective thoracoscopy at the age of 6 months removed the sequestration, confirming pedicle torsion; recovery was uneventful. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary collaboration, and timely use of ex-utero intrapartum treatment to manage life-threatening fetal lung anomalies.
Authors
- Gabija Pikturnaitė (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4498-4788)
- Gilvydas Verkauskas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7152-0802)
- Rūta Bernatavičienė
Institutions
- Vilnius University (LT)
- Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos (LT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Surgical Case Reports
- Published
- 2025-12-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjaf1066
- Primary Topic
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00