Pneumatocele

Large, right lower lobe pneumatocele is shown, compromising ventilation in a premature infant with RDS and superimposed RSV pneumonitis.

A pneumatocele is a cavity in the lung parenchyma filled with air that may result from pulmonary trauma during mechanical ventilation.[1]

Cause

A pneumatocele results when a lung laceration, a cut or tear in the lung tissue, fills with air.[2] A rupture of a small airway creates the air-filled cavity.[1] Pulmonary lacerations that fill with blood are called pulmonary hematomas.[2] In some cases, both pneumatoceles and hematomas exist in the same injured lung.[3] A pneumatocele can become enlarged, for example when the patient is mechanically ventilated or has acute respiratory distress syndrome, in which case it may not go away for months.[3]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be made using chest X-ray; the lesion shows up as a small, round area filled with air.[1] Computed tomography can give a more detailed understanding of the lesion.[1] Differential diagnoses, other conditions that could cause similar symptoms as pneumatocele, include lung cancer, tuberculosis, and a lung abscess[1] in the setting of Hyper IgE syndrome (aka Job's syndrome) or on its own, often caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection during cystic fibrosis.

Management and treatment

Treatment typically is supportive and includes monitoring and observation.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Atluri P, Karakousis GC, Porrett PM, Kaiser LR (2005). The Surgical Review: An Integrated Basic and Clinical Science Study Guide (Recall Series). Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 376. ISBN 0-7817-5641-3.
  2. 1 2 White C, Stern EJ (1999). Chest Radiology Companion. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 80, 176. ISBN 0-397-51732-7. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  3. 1 2 Gavelli G, Canini R, Bertaccini P, Battista G, Bnà C, Fattori R (June 2002). "Traumatic injuries: imaging of thoracic injuries". European Radiology. 12 (6): 1273–1294. doi:10.1007/s00330-002-1439-6. PMID 12042932.

Further reading

Al-Tarawneh, Emad; AL-Qudah, Mohammad; Hadidi, Fadi (March 2014). "Incidental Intraosseous Pneumatocyst with gas-density-fluid level in an adolescent: a case report and review of the literature". Journal of radiology case reports. 8 (8): 16–22. doi:10.3941/jrcr.v8i3.1540. 

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