Congenital Lobar emphysema

Congenital lobar emphysema is a rare but important clinical entity which may come to the paediatrician as an acute respiratory emergency. This is defined as a post-natal over-distension of one or more lobes of a histologically normal lung. To the best of our knowledge, this condition has not been reported in Indian Medical Literature to-date. Not that the actual incidence of Congenital Lobar Emphysema has changed materially but increased clinical awareness of the possibility of the diagnosis and the widespread use of roentgenography in infants has clearly resulted in frequent recognition of this condition. The plain x-ray study is so characteristic that an immediate diagnosis can be made for further line of management.