Ventilator-induced pulmonary interstitial emphysema treated with lobectomy in a preterm infant

Abstract

The incidence of neonatal barotrauma has decreased significantly with the use of surfactant for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in the preterm and has been greatly aided by less invasive ventilation as in high-frequency ventilators. However, there remains a risk of ventilator induced barotrauma and pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE). Surgical intervention to treat PIE is an unusual event as most settle over time and with conservative management. We report here a patient with life threatening diffuse pulmonary interstitial emphysema who required lobectomy.

Keywords

• Pulmonary interstitial emphysema
• Ventilated preterm
• Lobectomy