Swyer-James-Macleod Syndrome: Case Report and Brief Literature Review

Swyer-James-Macleod syndrome is a rare radiologic entity with radiolucent lung fields which could include the entire lung, a lobe or a subsegment. The pathogenesis is unclear but is thought to be related to childhood pulmonary viral and non-viral infections with subsequent vascular and alveolar distortion. It usually presents incidentally in asymptomatic patients on imaging, but could present with recurrent pulmonary infections, shortness of breath, cough, hemoptysis or bronchiectasis. Treatment is usually observation if asymptomatic, but could potentially include inhaled steroids, bronchodilators, lobectomy segmentectomy or pneumonectomy depending on the clinical condition and severity of the symptoms. We present a case of SJMS found in a asymptomatic patient along with a brief literature review.