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Congenital lobar emphysema presenting as an airway foreign body

François Gorostidi1, Anthony de Buys Roessingh2, Michel Gonzalez3

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of the Canton of Vaud (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|October 23, 2015
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) in a 15-month-old girl was initially misdiagnosed as foreign body aspiration. This highlights the importance of considering overlooked CLE in pediatric respiratory cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare congenital lung malformation.
  • CLE typically presents in early infancy, with later presentations being uncommon.
  • Misdiagnosis can occur due to overlapping symptoms with other pediatric respiratory conditions.

Observation:

  • A 15-month-old girl presented with symptoms and imaging suggestive of foreign body (FB) aspiration.
  • Endoscopic examination revealed a previously undetected bronchial malformation causing CLE.
  • The patient's age and presentation mimicked a foreign body impaction.

Findings:

  • The bronchial malformation led to congenital lobar emphysema (CLE).
  • CLE presenting after one year of age is an infrequent occurrence.
  • Diagnostic delay was attributed to the initial suspicion of foreign body aspiration.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the need to consider congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) as a differential diagnosis in infants and young children with suspected foreign body aspiration.
  • Awareness of late-presenting CLE can prevent diagnostic delays and ensure appropriate management.
  • Further research into the diagnostic challenges of congenital lung malformations is warranted.

Keywords:
AirwayCongenital lobar emphysemaForeign bodyPediatric

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