Congenital lobar emphysema in a Nigerian neonate: a rare cause of neonatal respiratory distress

Abstract

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a notable cause of respiratory distress in neonates, however it remains a diagnostic challenge due to inadequate facilities and low level of experience. The management of this condition also is a bigger challenge due to paucity of expertise and relatively non-existent well-equiped neonatal intensive care unit in this part of the world.

Here we present the case of a 5- day old baby who presented at Lagoon Hospital, Apapa with history of severe respiratory distress since birth. CT scan of the chest confirmed an emphysematous left upper lobe with contralateral mediastinal shift.

The baby had a left posterolateral thoracotomy with left upper lobectomy and thereafter was electively ventillated for forty eight hours in the neonatal intensive unit. He had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged from the hospital within one week for follow-up in the clinic.