Persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema in an unventilated neonate
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
Published on: October 31, 2025
Berkan Gürakan1, Aylin Tarcan, Irfan Serdar Arda
1Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract:
Persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PPIE) is a chronic form of pulmonary interstitial emphysema. The disease is histologically distinguished by large cysts and giant cells. Our patient was a female twin who was born at 31 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 1,450 g. A chest X-ray at 2 hr after delivery was normal. At 12 hr, respiratory distress developed, and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was initiated. A chest film revealed left-sided pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted, and the baby continued on nasal CPAP for 5 days. Her chest X-ray on postnatal day 4 showed diffuse cystic changes in the left lung. Thoracic computed tomography revealed multiple thick-walled cysts, the largest measuring 3 cm in diameter. Our case confirms that localized PIE may occur in preterm infants who have been treated with nasal CPAP only. Since this method is being used increasingly to avoid mechanical ventilation and in the postextubation period, it is very important that clinicians be aware of its complications.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
