From the Research
Swyer-James syndrome is a rare lung condition characterized by hyperlucency of one lung or part of a lung on chest X-rays, typically developing after severe bronchiolitis or pneumonia during childhood, as reported in the most recent study 1. This condition damages the small airways and blood vessels, leading to air trapping and reduced blood flow in the affected lung. Patients with Swyer-James syndrome may experience:
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Shortness of breath
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Sometimes wheezing or chronic cough However, some individuals remain asymptomatic and are only diagnosed incidentally when chest imaging is performed for other reasons. The diagnosis is typically confirmed using:
- Chest X-rays
- CT scans
- Ventilation-perfusion scans that show the characteristic unilateral hyperlucent lung with decreased vascularity and air trapping during expiration, as described in 2. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, preventing respiratory infections through vaccinations, and using bronchodilators or antibiotics when necessary, with surgical intervention rarely required unless complications like severe bronchiectasis develop, as noted in 3. Key features used for diagnosis include unilateral small lung with hyperlucency on a chest radiograph, with additional insights gained through high-resolution computed tomography scans, as highlighted in 1.