BRONCHIAL ATRESIA - A RARE DEVELOPMENTAL ANOMALY

Bronchial atresia is a rare developmental anomaly resulting from focal interruption of a lobar, segmental or subsegmental bronchus with associated peripheral mucus impaction and associated hyperinflation of the obstructed lung segment. A 55 year old female treated for carcinoma breast post radical mastectomy status, was found to have incidental findings of bronchial atresia in chest radiograph during follow up screening. Patient was asymptomatic. The radiographic findings were confirmed by computed tomography of thorax and bronchoscopy. Bronchial atresia is more common in males. Most common segment involved is left upper lobe apico-posterior segment. Usually asymptomatic and diagnosed as an incidental finding. Diagnosis is based on radiological and bronchoscopic investigations.