| Abstract: | Two boys with presumably congenital cystic changes in the lungs are described. In one child multiple cystic deformations led to acute symptoms of severe respiratory distress necessitating urgent resection of the right middle and upper lobes. The other boy had a large thick-walled cyst in the left upper lobe causing no distress whatsoever. This patient was observed for more than 6 years before operation. Multiple vascular anomalies and anastomoses were revealed during surgery. Both cases are presented in detail and the completely different clinical course is outlined. Only when careful supervision of intrapulmonary cystic changes is guaranteed can operation be postponed for longer than 6 months. Pulmonary cysts may lead to emergency procedures. They are always a potential source of serious complications such as rupture or infection. When no tendency for regression can be discovered surgical removal is indicated. Conservative treatment will not influence the course. Differential diagnosis is discussed briefly. |
