Can unilobar pulmonary lymphangiectasia be distinguished from persistent pulmonary emphysema?

Abstract

We describe the case of an infant born prematurely at 32 weeks, who had mild respiratory distress syndrome and required brief support with mechanical ventilation. He was breathing room air by day six. At two weeks of age, he had worsening respiratory distress and pneumothorax. The infant had persistent hyperinflation and cystic changes in left lung along with clinical respiratory distress. He recovered quickly following a left lobectomy on day 40. Histo-pathologic evaluation of the resected tissue was compatible with pulmonary lymphangiectasia. We also discuss the clinical and histopathological limitations in distinguishing unilobar lymphangiectasia from persistent interstitial emphysema.