Congenital lobar emphysema presenting as an airway foreign body

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2015 Dec;79(12):2450-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2015.09.042. Epub 2015 Oct 13.

Abstract

We report here the case of a 15 months old girl presenting with clinical signs and radiological exams highly suggestive of a foreign body (FB) aspiration. Diagnostic endoscopy revealed an overlooked bronchial malformation responsible for a congenital lobar emphysema (CLE). CLE presenting after one year of age is rare and can easily be misdiagnosed. Therefore, the possibility of an overlooked CLE needs to be known and evoked as an alternative diagnosis when dealing with children presenting with suspected FB aspirations. We report on this unexpected, yet misleading presentation of CLE and review the available literature on the subject.

Keywords: Airway; Congenital lobar emphysema; Foreign body; Pediatric.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bronchoscopy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnosis*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / congenital*
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography
  • Respiratory Aspiration / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Aspiration / diagnostic imaging

Supplementary concepts

  • Congenital lobar emphysema