Lobar emphysema in infants.

Abstract Severe respiratory distress can occur in infants who suffer from over-inflation of a pulmonary lobe. Radiology offers the best means of detecting this lesion, which frequently requires prompt surgery and possible lobectomy. Although the cause of the condition is often unknown, a deficiency of bronchial cartilage has been found to be responsible in about 25 per cent of cases and the possible mechanisms of origin of the condition are discused. Eight cases have been seen over the last five years at this hospital and four of these are presented to illustrate the radiological and clinical pitfalls. The radiological diagnosis can be made by being aware of the condition and recognizing the over-inflation of the lobe with compression of the adjacent lung. A frequent error is a diagnosis of pneumothorax. The radiological features of the condition have been tabulated and the differential diagnosis of the X-rays discussed.