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Persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema in an unventilated neonate
Berkan Gürakan1, Aylin Tarcan, Irfan Serdar Arda
1Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Pediatric Pulmonology
|October 3, 2002
Summary
Persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PPIE) can occur in preterm infants treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This case highlights potential complications of CPAP in neonates, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PPIE) is a chronic lung disease characterized by cysts and giant cells.
- Preterm infants often require respiratory support, with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) increasingly used to avoid mechanical ventilation.
Observation:
- A preterm infant born at 31 weeks gestation developed respiratory distress and pneumothorax shortly after birth.
- The infant was treated with nasal CPAP, and subsequent imaging revealed diffuse cystic changes consistent with PPIE.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates that localized PPIE can occur in preterm infants solely treated with nasal CPAP.
- Thoracic CT identified multiple thick-walled cysts, with the largest measuring 3 cm in diameter.
Implications:
- Clinicians must be aware of PPIE as a potential complication of nasal CPAP in preterm infants.
- Increased use of CPAP necessitates vigilance for its associated risks, particularly in the postextubation period.