Pulmonary venous air embolism in hyaline membrane disease

A newborn infant with the respiratory distress syndrome in whom pulmonary venous air embolism (PVAE) developed as a complication of positive pressure therapy is reported. The underlying pathophysiology in this disorder is probably the development of alveolar-capillary fistulae secondary to unduly high intrabronchial pressures. An increased awareness by radiologists and clinicians of PVAE as a potential complication of aggressive respiratory therapy will result in more frequent recognition of this uncommon but lethal disorder.