Congenital Lobar Emphysema and Intercostal Drainage Tube Insertion: The Common Fate of an Uncommon Disease

Abstract

Congenital Lobar Emphysema (CLE) is one of the rare cystic malformations of the lung. This malformation is generally confused with pneumothorax of the lung and most often, the placement of an intercostal drainage tube is entertained in an emergency situation, but the non- improvement of the distress and non-expansion of the lung are eye openers for a treating paediatrician. We are describing a case of a 26 days old baby who presented with respiratory distress in the Emergency Department. On the basis of the chest X-ray (CXR), we suspected it to be a case of pneumothorax and an intercostal drainage tube was inserted. But as he did not improve, CT of the chest was done and the baby was diagnosed to have congenital lobar emphysema. In spite of the advanced diagnostic techniques, the diagnosis of CLE may present a diagnostic challenge and a high index of suspicion is needed if the diagnosis has to be made promptly.