A neonate with right lung agenesis presenting with respiratory distress is described.
The unusual radiological features were contralateral mediastinal shift (in contrast
to expected ipsilateral shift) and diaphragmatic eventration on the affected side.
Mediastinal shift to the opposite side was due to intrathoracic hepatic herniation
under a high placed eventrated diaphragm. Both these features have not been reported
in association with lung agenesis to date. The authors have discussed other causes
of respiratory distress in newborns that can cause mediastinal shift and have urged
a high degree of clinical suspicion to pick up the cases with lung agenesis. The newer
diagnostic modalities and the causes of mortality in neonates with this anomaly have
also been highlighted.
Neonate - mediastinal shift - diaphragmatic eventration - hepatic herniation