First Trimester Echogenic Lung Lesions: A Diagnostic Challenge and Review of Differential Diagnoses

TL;DR

This paper discusses a rare case of foetal echogenic lungs in the first trimester, linked to Turner's syndrome and other abnormalities.

Contribution

The paper adds to limited data on first-trimester foetal echogenic lungs and emphasizes the need for vigilant monitoring.

Findings

Foetal echogenic lungs were identified alongside cystic hygroma and hydrops foetalis in a first-trimester scan.

Turner's syndrome was confirmed through invasive testing, leading to termination at 14 weeks.

The case highlights the importance of monitoring echogenic lungs for potential chromosomal abnormalities.

Abstract

Foetal echogenic lungs are characterised by the appearance of small bright spots within the foetal lungs observed via antenatal ultrasound, which may indicate underlying developmental abnormalities. The presence of echogenic lungs is a rare sonographic finding identified during the first trimester of pregnancy. In this report, we present the case of a healthy 25-year-old primigravida who was found to have multiple foetal abnormalities in her routine first-trimester scan, following which she was scanned by the foetal medicine team, who confirmed the finding of foetal echogenic lungs along with cystic hygroma and hydrops foetalis. Turner's syndrome was confirmed with successive invasive tests, and the pregnancy was terminated at 14 weeks. Our findings not only contribute to the limited data on this rare sonographic occurrence but also highlight the importance of vigilant foetal monitoring in cases of echogenic lungs, allowing for timely intervention and management strategies. This case strongly supports the need for further research into the implications of echogenic lung findings and their association with chromosomal abnormalities.

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