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A case of endobronchial polyp mimicking congenital lobar emphysema in an infant

Rahele Mehrain1, Abbas Hadipur2

  • 1Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Amirkola Hospital , Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol , Iran. ; Department of Radiology, Amirkola Children's Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine
|February 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Congenital lobar emphysema in infants can be mimicked by an endobronchial polyp. Bronchoscopy is crucial for accurate diagnosis before surgical intervention for suspected infantile lobar emphysema.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Thoracic Surgery

Background:

  • Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare infant respiratory disease characterized by air trapping due to cartilage deficiency and bronchomalacia.
  • CLE presents with respiratory distress, often diagnosed via imaging suggesting lung hyperinflation.

Observation:

  • An 18-month-old infant presented with acute respiratory distress.
  • Chest X-ray revealed findings consistent with CLE, including unilateral lung lucency and mediastinal shift.
  • Bronchoscopy identified an endobronchial polyp in the left lower bronchus.

Findings:

  • Biopsy confirmed the lesion as an endobronchial polyp.
  • The polyp successfully mimicked the radiographic and clinical presentation of congenital lobar emphysema.
  • This case highlights a rare differential diagnosis for infantile lobar emphysema.

Implications:

  • Emphasizes the diagnostic importance of bronchoscopy in infants with suspected CLE.
  • Suggests considering endobronchial polyps as a differential diagnosis for infantile lobar emphysema.
  • Highlights the potential for less invasive procedures to avoid unnecessary lobectomy.
Abstract

Keywords:
Air trappingBronchial ObstructionBronchoscopyCongenital lobar emphysemaEndobronchial polyp

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