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Unilateral Obstructive Emphysema in Infancy due to Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cyst-Diagnostic Challenge and Management
Leena Robinson Vimala1, Ravi Kishore Barla Sri Sathya2, Arul Premanand Lionel3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Christian Medical College , Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India .
Insights
A rare case of pediatric respiratory distress was caused by a bronchogenic cyst leading to obstructive emphysema. Early diagnosis with CT/MRI imaging is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Imaging
- Congenital Abnormalities
Background:
- Bronchogenic cysts are common mediastinal lesions in children.
- Unilateral obstructive emphysema is a rare presentation of bronchogenic cysts.
Observation:
- An infant presented with respiratory distress, initially suspected as pneumothorax.
- Imaging revealed a mediastinal cystic lesion causing obstructive emphysema and mediastinal displacement.
Findings:
- The infant underwent emergency thoracotomy and successful cyst excision.
- Postoperative recovery showed rapid clinical and radiological improvement.
Implications:
- Cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI) is vital for diagnosing pediatric respiratory distress with diagnostic dilemmas.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention can lead to favorable outcomes in complex pediatric thoracic cases.
Abstract:
Bronchogenic cysts are the most common cystic mediastinal lesion in children. Bronchogenic cyst causing unilateral obstructive emphysema is a rare presentation. We report the case of a one and half month old infant who presented with respiratory distress which was initially suspected as left pneumothorax on frontal chest radiograph but was later found to be due to hyperinflated left lung and hence the possibility of congenital lobar emphysema was considered. CT thorax and limited MRI sections revealed a cystic lesion in mediastinum causing obstructive emphysema and mediastinal displacement. He underwent an emergency thoracotomy and excision of the cyst via an extrapleural approach. Post operatively, rapid improvement of the infant was noticed both clinically as well as radiologically. Cross sectional imaging like CT or MR is required for reaching the correct and early diagnosis in paediatric patients with respiratory distress, when there is diagnostic dilemma based on chest radiograph.
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