Premium
Spontaneous resolution of diffuse persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema
Author(s) -
Jassal Mandeep S.,
Benson Jane E.,
Mogayzel Peter J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.20820
Subject(s) - medicine , pneumomediastinum , conservative management , air space , surgery , radiology , complication , engineering , aerospace engineering
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. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:615–619. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.