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Am J Perinatol 2002; 19(6): 285-290
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34466
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

CT Imaging of Pulmonary Lobar Interstitial Emphysema in a Spontaneous Breathing Preterm Infant

J. Dembinski1 , A. Heep1 , N. Kau1 , G. Knöpfle2 , P. Bartmann1
  • 1Department of Neonatology, Center of Pediatrics, University of Bonn, Germany
  • 2Department of Pathology, University of Bonn, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
01 October 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a well-recognized severe complication of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). However, its occurence under spontaneous breathing conditions has been described rarely. We present a case of PIE of the left upper lung lobe in an extremely low birth weight infant. Recurrent episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax led to the diagnosis, which was confirmed by histopathology. Plain chest X-ray did not show typical signs of PIE, whereas extra-alveolar air accumulation could be visualized by helical computed tomography (CT)-scan. We stress the role of predispositional factors increasing the risk of PIE development in spontaneous breathing preterm infants.

KEYWORDS

Cystic lung disease - preterm infant - neonatal respiratory distress syndrome - pulmonary interstitial emphysema

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