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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Multi-lobulated cervical pneumatocoele communicating with pyopneumothorax and bronchopleural fistula
Neeraj N Mathur1, Sandeep Kumar, Rajendra Bothra
1Department of ENT, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Smt. SK and KS Children's Hospital, New Delhi, India. nnm@vsnl.com
Insights
Cervical herniation of lung in infants is rare and can be mistaken for other conditions. This case highlights an infant diagnosed with an apical pneumatocoele, a lung herniation in the neck, connected to a pyopneumothorax.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Cervical lung herniation is an exceptionally rare congenital anomaly.
- It often presents diagnostic challenges in neonates, mimicking other neck masses.
Observation:
- An infant presented with a neck swelling.
- The swelling initially resembled an external laryngocoele.
Findings:
- The infant was diagnosed with an apical pneumatocoele, a herniation of lung apex into the neck.
- This condition was found to be communicating with a pyopneumothorax, a collection of pus and air in the pleural space.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of cervical lung herniation is crucial for appropriate management.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses in neonatal neck swellings.
- Early recognition and surgical intervention are key for favorable outcomes in pediatric thoracic emergencies.
Abstract:
Cervical herniation of lung in infants is a very rare condition which may present as a diagnostic dilemma. Reported here is an infant who presented with a swelling apparently looking like an external laryngocoele but was finally diagnosed as an apical pneumatocoele communicating with pyopneumothorax.
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