Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations in the adriamycin-induced rat model of oesophageal atresia

Background: Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations (CBPFM) ar e rare abnormalities of the development of the primitive foregut that resul t in an abnormal communication between the upper gastrointestinal tract and pulmonary tissue. They usually occur in isolation, but sometimes are seen in association with oesophageal atresia (OA). Methods: Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations were induced in the offspring of pregnant rats by intraperitoneal injection of Adriamyci n (Delta West Pty Ltd, Bentley, Western Australia Australia). Fetuses harve sted by caesarean section were fixed in 10% formalin, transversely sectione d and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Serial examination of the slides allowed three-dimensional reconstruction of the anatomy of the pulmonary s ystem and the oesophagus. Results: Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations occurred in n ine (30%) of fetuses with OA. Three types of CBPFM were produced: an isolat ed pulmonary structure (accessory lung) attached to the lower oesophagus vi a a patent bronchus (6 fetuses): an anomalous bronchus from the lower oesop hagus to the lower part of the left lung (two fetuses); and atresia of the trachea (one fetus). Conclusions: These observations are consistent with the assertion that CBPF M and OA are variations of a spectrum of abnormalities and may have a simil ar aetiology. In the mt model it would appear that Adriamycin interferes wi th the timing and progression of lung bud differentiation at a time when th e primitive foregut is developing rapidly. Ultimately, this model may shed light on the embryogenesis of both anomalies.