Spontaneous occurrence of localized pulmonary interstitial and endolymphatic emphysema in infancy

Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Drainage of Pneumomediastinum in a Newborn: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Neonatal pneumomediastinum is seen in 2.5 per 1000 live births and mostly managed conservatively. An intervention is essential in cases with tension pneumomediastinum. Ultrasonography-guided (USG-guided) relief of pneumomediastinum has been reported in newborns. There are no reported cases of computed tomography-guided (CT-guided) drainage of pneumomediastinum in neonates.

CASE REPORT

A newborn girl born at 34 week of gestation was intubated due to respiratory distress and received intratracheal surfactant treatment. Pneumomediastinum was detected at the chest X-ray on the 6th postnatal hour. On the second postnatal day, the patient's oxygen needs increased, tachypnea and subcostal retractions recurred, so it was decided to intervene. USG-guided drainage of the pneumomediastinum was attempted twice but was unsuccessful. Percutaneous drainage with CT guidance was performed successfully.

CONCLUSION

This report aims to emphasize that CT-guided intervention of pneumomediastinum can be an effective alternative in a newborn if USG-guided intervention fails.

Spontaneous resolution of diffuse persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema

Persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PPIE) is a rare condition that occurs in both preterm and term infants. It is thought to arise from a disruption of the basement membrane of the alveolar wall allowing air entry into the interstitial space. The characteristic CT scan appearance of PPIE can be used to differentiate it from other congenital cystic lesions that may present similarly. Although conservative management is accepted as the initial form of management in most cases, a review of the published literature found that a significant proportion of localized PPIE cases eventually require surgical resection. This case illustrates that extensive bilateral PPIE associated with a persistent pneumomediastinum can resolve spontaneously thus demonstrating that conservative management without surgical intervention may be appropriate for some children.

Spontaneous pulmonary interstitial emphysema in a term unventilated infant

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a form of air block most frequently seen in ventilated preterm infants with severe lung disease; it is rarely reported in spontaneously breathing term infants. We report on an infant previously diagnosed with laryngomalacia and congestive heart failure and with evidence of antenatal stroke before the onset of pulmonary disease. He presented at 6 weeks of age with spontaneous pneumothorax. Focal cystic changes were seen on imaging studies of the lungs. There was no prior history of mechanical ventilation. Prior chest X-rays did not show cystic changes. He subsequently underwent resection of the affected lung areas. Pathologic examination revealed persistent PIE with cystic expansion, pleural blebs, and reactive pleuritis, as well as subpleural air-space enlargement. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged home without further problems. This case demonstrates that PIE can occur in an infant without any history of mechanical ventilation, suggesting the need for a high index of suspicion for PIE, even in nonventilated and spontaneously breathing term neonates. PIE should be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic lung lesions in all young infants.

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema in live birth determination: radiographic and gross pathologic features

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) has previously been reported as a useful finding in the determination of live birth in cases where the birth and death were not attended. Herein, we present the radiographic and gross pathologic features of PIE in such a case. In this instance, in addition to parenchymal interstitial emphysema, there were subpleural air collections and a pneumothorax.

Localized persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema in a preterm infant in the absence of mechanical ventilation

Localized persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema has rarely been reported in preterm infants in the absence of utilization of mechanical ventilation or continuous positive airway pressure. The relative rarity of this condition might preclude rendering of the correct diagnosis, making patients susceptible to unnecessary surgery and increased morbidity and mortality associated with such intervention. We present a preterm infant who developed respiratory distress and radiographic findings of pulmonary interstitial emphysema on the first day after birth, prior to receiving continuous positive airway pressure or mechanical ventilation. It is important for radiologists to consider localized persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema in the differential diagnosis of cystic lung lesions in preterm infants, even in the absence of mechanical ventilation. In cases where there is uncertainty, CT imaging can be useful in making the correct diagnosis.

The use of pulmonary interstitial emphysema as an indicator of live birth

Making the determination of live birth versus stillbirth in a discarded newborn infant based on gross and microscopic autopsy findings can be a challenging task for the forensic pathologist. The traditional criteria for live birth determination are frequently challenged in court, and indisputable evidence of live birth remains elusive. The histologic finding of pulmonary interstitial emphysema has not been considered as a useful determinant of live birth. The authors report two cases of discarded newborn infants in which the finding of pulmonary interstitial emphysema was used as an indicator of live birth.

Persistent interstitial pulmonary emphysema-like cyst associated with metastatic synovial sarcoma

Interstitial pulmonary emphysema is characterized by the presence of gas dissecting the interstitial tissues of the lung. Clinically, it may be acute or persistent, and the latter can be further categorized as localized or diffuse. Usually, it appears in preterm neonates with a history of assisted ventilation or respiratory distress. Although far from frequent, the localized variety of persistent interstitial pulmonary emphysema (PIPE) can develop spontaneously in full-term babies or infants without any obvious underlying pulmonary disease. Histologically, PIPE is characterized by the presence of uni- and multinucleated histiocytes lining the inner surface of the cysts. In this report, we describe a 15-year-old male with synovial sarcoma (SS) of the right ankle diagnosed 4 years previously who developed pulmonary metastasis, one of which presented cystic changes with features of PIPE.

Solitary unilocular cyst of the lung with features of persistent interstitial pulmonary emphysema: report of four cases

Neonatal interstitial pulmonary emphysema (IPE) is a well-characterized lesion usually presenting in preterm newborns as a complication of respiratory distress syndrome and/or assisted ventilation. Occasionally, IPE may occur spontaneously in infants with no underlying pulmonary disease. Persistence of IPE (PIPE) may be diffuse or localized. Localized PIPE usually presents as multiple cysts 0.3 to 3 cm in one or more lobes of the lung. In this report, we describe four cases of unilocular large cysts (up to 5 cm in diameter) partially lined by uni- and multinucleated histiocytes in a foreign body type reaction and showing gas dissection of the surrounding parenchyma (present in case 1). These histological features favored the diagnosis of PIPE and the cases were interpreted as such, since no other clear-cut diagnosis could be defined. However, because the lesion was limited to one lobe, and the children were full term, asymptomatic at birth and without history of respiratory distress or assisted ventilation, differential diagnosis with other pulmonary cystic lesions of infancy is mandated.

Infantile lobar emphysema

Infantile lobar emphysema is a symptom complex representing a spectrum of diseases characterized by overdistention of a pulmonary lobe by a check valve mechanism. The earlier in life infantile lobar emphysema presents, the more severe are the symptoms. Half of the cases appear in the first 4 weeks of life. The chest radiograph is the best diagnostic tool but can be misinterpreted. Computed tomography sometimes discloses the cause, which appears to be bronchial obstruction in 25% of cases. The bronchial obstruction may be due to intrinsic defects or to extrinsic compression. Bronchoscopy should be performed only in certain cases and then only with careful anesthetic management.