Congenital labor emphysema

A case of congenital lobar emphysema [CLE] in a 4 month-old-infant is presented. The patient was referred for assessment of recurrent respiratory distress due to chest infections and failure to thrive. Chest X-ray showed loss of the lung markings of the lower lobe of the right lung causing compression atelectasis of the middle and upper lobes of the right lung with shift of the mediastinum to the left. Surgical resection of the affected lobe resulted in relief of the respiratory disease and an adequate weight gain. CLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with respiratory distress and failure to thrive