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OBSTRUCTING MUCUS
PLUG |
ULTRASOUND (1,2) |
- Unilateral (1) or bilateral
(2) fetal lung hyperechogenicity. The hyperechogenic appearance is due to the large number
of tissue-fluid interfaces.
The appearance is unilateral if the obstruction involves one bronchus and bilateral if both main bronchi or the trachea is occluded by a mucous plug. - Wedge-shaped mass (1).
- No other associated abnormalities are present.
- No other anomalies.
- Mediastinal shift has been reported in one case (1).
- No polyhydramnios.
- No hydrops.
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Unilateral hyperechogenic lung
at 13 weeks GA Nuchal translucency 2.5 mm |
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Resolution of echogenic lung at 19 weeks GA |
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Bilateral slightly
echogenic lungs with a small amount of bilateral pleural fluid (14 wks GA). Spontaneous resolution by 20 weeks GA |
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REFERENCES |
- Meizner I, Rosenak D. The vanishing fetal intrathoracic mass: consider an obstructing mucous plug. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1995;5:275-277.
- Achiron R, Strauss S, Seidman DS et.al. Fetal lung hyperechogenicity: prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis,natural history and neonatal outcome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1995;6:40-42.