Topoint outthe clinical importance ofthe detectionand proper diagnosis of congenital thoracic cystic malformations. To learnwhen and whyto use thedifferent imaging techniquesin these patients. To recognisethe impactof perinatal imagingin fetal and neonatalclinical management.

Congenital thoracicmalformations represent a wide spectrum of developmental anomalies whoseorigin is not well stablished. Although they are rare, its clinical importance is remarkable. We are going to focus onthose malformations of cystic nature.The most common of them are thoseaffecting the lungs: Congenital pulmonary airway malformation or CPAM. Bronchopulmonary sequestration and hybrid lesions. Bronchogenic cyst. Bronchial atresia. There areeven more rare congenital cystic thoracic anomalies that do not affect the lung but other chest structures: Mediastinal or pericardial teratomas. Mediastinal or axillary lymphangiomas. Chest wall tumors....

CONGENITAL CYSTIC MALFORMATIONS AFFECTING THE LUNGS CPAM Formerly called congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation or CCAM, the congenital pulmonary airway malformation or CPAM is the result of an abnormal development of the bronchial tree. Most of these lesions appear in prenatal imaging as a multicystic mass (Fig.1) occupying one lobe. Macrocystic or microcystic types can be determined by imaging.Evolution of these lesions can widely varyin each patient:while some lesions may even disappear othersmay cause foetal hydrops andstillbirth. Postnatal imaging must start with a chest plain film...

Congenital cystic thoracic malformations are rare but when they appear is very important to reach an accurate diagnosis for a precise parental counseling and perinatal assessment. These malformationsare currently detected in utero by prenatal imaging. US remains the main technique to study fetal chest but when big or atypical cystic lesions are suspected fetal MRIhas a supplemental role and can add valuable information. We encourage careful attention to prenatal and postnatalimaging findings because Perinatal Imagingplays a central role in theadequatediagnosis andmanagement of these patients.

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