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Published on: March 6, 2019

Bilateral congenital lobar emphysema: A rare cause for respiratory distress in infancy

Ahmad M Abushahin1, Amjad S Tuffaha, Najeh K Khalil

  • 1Division of Pediatrics Pulmonlogy, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha-Qatar, Qatar.

Annals of Thoracic Medicine
|November 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This report details a rare case of bilateral congenital lobar emphysema in an infant. Surgical removal of affected lung lobes successfully improved the infant's severe respiratory distress.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Neonatal Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare congenital lung malformation.
  • It typically presents in infancy with respiratory distress.
  • Bilateral involvement is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A 2-month-old male infant presented with severe respiratory distress and failure.
  • Imaging revealed emphysematous changes in both the right middle and left upper lobes.
  • The infant required immediate and advanced respiratory support.

Findings:

  • Diagnosis was confirmed via plain chest X-ray and high-resolution CT scan.
  • The infant underwent two sequential surgical excisions: right middle lobectomy and left upper lobectomy.
  • Post-operative recovery showed significant improvement in respiratory status.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and surgical intervention for bilateral CLE.
  • Successful surgical management can lead to favorable outcomes in rare pediatric respiratory conditions.
  • Further research into the genetic and developmental aspects of CLE may improve understanding and treatment.

Keywords:
Congenital lobar emphysemaInfantlobectomyrespiratory distress

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