Congenital lobar emphysema, the cause of respiratory distress in a newborn

The congenital lobar emphysema is a congenital lung malformation that consists of the hyperinsufflation of a lobe with compression of the normal lung parenchyma and displacement of the mediastinum. It affects frequently to the left superior lobe. The more frequent clinical manifestation is the respiratory distress. The diagnosis is usually evident with a thorax X-ray and usually shows a hyperlucid lung, with compression of the normal lung parenchyma, displacement of the mediastinum and leveling of the diaphragmatic cupola.The differential diagnosis should be made with other congenital malformations, with the mild diaphragmatic hernia, with the pneumothorax and with the infectious illnesses whose clinic is dyspnoea like bronchiolitis. The treatment is surgical with lobectomy.