Computed tomography features can distinguish type 4 congenital pulmonary airway malformation from other cystic congenital pulmonary airway malformations.

•Mediastinal shift and pneumothorax are features of type 4 CPAMs.•A diameter of >7.9 cm is likely to be type 4 and <2.8 cm is likely to be type 2.•Type 4 CPAMs show slight male predominance.•Differentiation between type 4 CPAM and type 1 PPB on CT scanning is difficult.•The incidence of hybrid lesions is highest in type 2 CPAMs.