Early and late outcomes of coil embolization of pulmonary sequestration in children.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is characterized by non-functioning lung tissue fed from 1 or several aberrant systemic arteries. The classical therapeutic approach is surgical resection. Several case reports have shown that coil embolization is feasible, but this technique has not been evaluated in a larger series of consecutively treated patients. The purpose of our study was to assess the early and long-term outcomes of coil embolization of PS in children and to determine the risk factors of early and late major adverse cardiovascular and pulmonary events. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between March 1999 and December 2004, 6 patients (2 boys, 4 girls, mean age 4.7 +/-3.8 years) with PS were treated by coil embolization of the feeding systemic artery. Four patients were considered to have been cured and 2 patients required a second coil embolization 6 months later because of residual systemic flow seen on computed tomography. Transient ischemic change of the lower limb occurred in the youngest patient. None of the other patients had any late complications or recurrent pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization of PS is safe and feasible, with a good late outcome.