Swyer–James syndrome explained

Synonyms:Swyer–James–Macleod's syndrome
Specialty:Pulmonology
Symptoms:Often no symptoms, sometimes shortness of breath on exertion, wheeze, reduced ability to exercise, cough, chest pain
Causes:Childhood bronchiolitis obliterans
Diagnosis:medical imaging
Treatment:Bronchodilators
Frequency:Rare

Swyer–James syndrome (SJS), also called Swyer–James–MacLeod syndrome, is a disease of the lungs, characterized by a small lung or part of lung.[1] Typical symptoms are of recurrent respiratory tract infections, but some have no symptoms.[2]

As a result of childhood bronchiolitis obliterans, typically following adenovirus infection, there is a reduction in blood vessels and overextended alveoli, resulting in air trapping in one or part of one lung.[1]

It is rare.[2]

Signs and symptoms

Often, there are no symptoms and the disease is detected when investigating another problem. Sometimes there is shortness of breath on exertion, wheeze, reduced ability to exercise, cough and chest pain.[2]

Cause and mechanism

Swyer–James syndrome is a manifestation of postinfectious obliterative bronchiolitis.[2] In SJS, the involved lung or portion of the lung does not grow normally and is slightly smaller than the opposite lung.[3] The characteristic radiographic appearance is that of pulmonary hyperlucency, caused by overdistention of the alveoli in conjunction with diminished arterial flow.[4] [5] and has been linked to adenovirus type 21, a type of adenovirus infection.[6]

Diagnosis

In appearance Swyer–James normally leaves shadowing in a CT scan in the upper lobar regions of one or (rarely) both lungs. People with the illness operate in much the same way as patients with mild bronchiectasis. As a result, the illness can go undiagnosed for some time. With current pharmaceutical developments, the prognosis is good for sufferers of the illness to lead normal and healthy lives.

History

It was found by English chest physician William Mathiseon MacLeod,[7] and (simultaneously) by physician Paul Robert Swyer and radiologist George James in the 1950s in Canada.[8] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Dalpiaz . Giorgia . Cancellieri . Alessandra . Atlas of Diffuse Lung Diseases: A Multidisciplinary Approach . 2017 . Springer . 978-3-319-42750-8 . 248 . en .
  2. Behrendt . Anna . Lee . Yi . Swyer-James-MacLeod Syndrome . StatPearls . 2022 . StatPearls Publishing . 32119329 . 2022-05-03 . 2022-05-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220503120419/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554442/ . live .
  3. Web site: Wood . Beverly P . Swyer-James Syndrome Imaging: Practice Essentials, Radiography, Computed Tomography . www.emedicine.medscape.com . 3 May 2022 . 5 March 2019 . 3 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220303024830/https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/361906-overview . live .
  4. Khalil KF, Saeed W . Swyer-James-MacLeod Syndrome . Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan . 18 . 3 . 190–2 . March 2008 . 18460255 .
  5. Gopinath A, Strigun D, Banyopadhyay T . Swyer-James syndrome . Connecticut Medicine . 69 . 6 . 325–7 . 2005 . 16184857 .
  6. Book: Kliegman, Robert . Richard M Kliegman . Nelson essentials of pediatrics . Elsevier Saunders . St. Louis, Mo . 2006 . 978-0-8089-2325-1 .
  7. Macleod, W. M. . Abnormal transradiancy of one lung . . 1954 . 9 . 147–153 . 10.1136/thx.9.2.147 . 1019360 . 13179127 . 2.
  8. 10.1136/thx.8.2.133. A Case of Unilateral Pulmonary Emphysema. 1953. Swyer. P. R.. James. G. C. W.. Thorax. 8. 2. 133–136. 13077508. 1019253.