Congenital Lobar Emphysema in an Infant: A Case Report from the University Hospital of Mali

Congenital lobar emphysema is characterized by distress due to hyperinflation of the affected lung lobe(s). We report the case of a 2-month-old infant with congenital left lower lobe emphysema. A 2-month-old female infant, born at term without incident, was hospitalized for respiratory distress. On a postnatal day 15, respiratory distress occurred. On admission, he weighed 3400 g and was apyretic. He had a polypnea of 58 cycles/min and a oxygen saturation of hemoglobin of 90% on room air. A chest radiograph revealed hyperclarity of the left lung. Chest CT revealed left lower lobe emphysema. He underwent a left lower lobectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. He was discharged from the hospital 7 days after surgery without sequelae. Physicians should be aware that congenital lobar emphysema can present with respiratory distress in infants. A chest CT scan confirms the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is effective.