Ipsilateral lobar emphysema in an infant with a repaired congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Joseph Sykes1, Derrick McQueen, Lakshmi Vaithilingham

  • 1Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ, USA. jsykes@sbhcs.com

Insights

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors may rarely develop lobar emphysema, leading to respiratory failure. Surgical intervention, such as lobectomy, can successfully treat this condition in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Neonatal Respiratory Medicine
  • Thoracic Pathology

Background:

  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a serious birth defect requiring prompt surgical repair.
  • Postnatal respiratory complications can arise even after successful CDH repair.

Observation:

  • A 9-month-old infant, previously treated for CDH, presented with severe respiratory failure.
  • Imaging revealed massive hyperinflation of the right lung with ventilation-perfusion defects.

Findings:

  • The infant was diagnosed with lobar emphysema affecting the right lung.
  • Surgical lobectomy was performed to address the hyperinflation and respiratory compromise.

Implications:

  • Lobar emphysema is a rare but significant potential complication in infants with a history of CDH.
  • Early diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for successful outcomes in these complex cases.
Abstract

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