Right upper lobe agenesis presenting with recurrent respiratory infections in a child

Authors

  • M. Emilova Pediatric Surgery Department, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author
  • N. Tolekova Pediatric Surgery Department, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author
  • N. Kartulev Pediatric Surgery Department, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author
  • E. Rangelov Pediatric Surgery Department, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author
  • V. Oparanova Pediatric Surgery Department, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author
  • N. Gabrovska Clinic of Pulmonology, Pediatric Hospital “Prof. Ivan Mitev”, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University – Sofia Author
  • E. Kostova Diagnostic Radiology Department, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author
  • B. Mladenov Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author
  • Hr. Shivachev Pediatric Surgery Department, UMHATEM “N.I. Pirogov” – Sofia Author

Keywords:

flexible bronchoscopy, lobar agenesis, recurrent respiratory infections, spirometry

Abstract

Right upper lobe agenesis is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, resulting from abnormal development of the primitive lung bud during embryogenesis. It is most often suspected following a chest X-ray showing evidence of atelectasis or mediastinal shift, which prompts further diagnostic evaluation. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy with a history of recurrent respiratory infections during the neonatal period and early childhood. The patient was diagnosed with right upper lobe agenesis (type I) based on computed tomography (CT) imaging and confirmed by flexible bronchoscopy. This case underscores the importance of considering congenital pulmonary anomalies in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with frequent respiratory tract infections.

References

Panduranga SVH, Mehta RM. An unique case of isolated right upper lobe lung agenesis with abnormal middle lobe segmentation. Egypt J Bronchol. 16, 42 (2022).

Kuo CP, Lu YT, Lin RL. Agenesis of right upper lobe of lung. Respirol Case Rep. 2015;3(2):51-3. doi: 10.1002/rcr2.98.

Sadiqi J, Hamidi H. CT features of lung agenesis – a case series (6 cases). BMC Med Imaging 18, 37 (2018).

Lopes Vieira JF, Miskovic A, Abel F. Interpretation of pulmonary function tests in children. BJA Educ. 2023;23(11):425-431. doi: 10.1016/j.bjae.2023.07.002.

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Published

28.04.2026

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2026): Bulgarian Medical Journal

Section

Case reports

License

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How to Cite

Right upper lobe agenesis presenting with recurrent respiratory infections in a child (M. Emilova, N. Tolekova, N. Kartulev, E. Rangelov, V. Oparanova, N. Gabrovska, E. Kostova, B. Mladenov, & H. Shivachev , Trans.). (2026). Bulgarian Medical Journal, 20(1), 54-56. https://journals.mu-sofia.bg/index.php/bmj/article/view/801

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