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Background Congenital lobar overinflation (CLOI) is one of the most important causes of infantile respiratory distress (RD). We aim to evaluate our experience in CLOI management emphasizing on clinical features, diagnostic modalities, surgery and outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective study for all CLOI cases undergoing surgical management at Qena University Hospital. Demographic data, clinical data, radiographic findings, surgery and postoperative follow-up were reviewed. Results A total of 37 neonates and infants with CLOI were presented to our center between January 2015 and January 2019; their mean age was 111.43 ± 65.19 days and 22 were males. All cases presented with RD; and cyanosis in 19 cases. 15 cases presented with recurrent pneumonia and fever. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side and wheezes were the main clinical findings in 30 and 22 cases respectively. On CXR, emphysema was detected in all cases. A confirmatory CT chest was done for all cases. Left upper lobe was affected in 23 cases, right middle lobe in 7 and right upper lobe in 7 cases. Lobectomy was done in thirty-one cases; their mean age at surgery was 147.58 ± 81.49 days and 19 were males. Postoperative complications were noted in 5 cases and postoperative ventilation was required for 2 of them. No morbidity or mortality was reported. The follow-up duration ranged from 3 months to 1 year and all patients were doing well except one case that lost follow up after 3 months. Conclusion CLOI is a rare bronchopulmonary malformation that requires a high index of clinical suspicion, especially in persistent and recurrent infantile RD. CT chest is the most useful diagnostic modality. Early management of CLOI improves outcome and avoid life-threatening complications. Surgical management is the treatment of choice in our center without recorded mortality.

The authors report the case of a 4-week-old male infant presented during the winter period with respiratory distress. He had a 3 day history of cough and coryza, and a 2 day history of breathlessness and reduced feeding. He had evidence of tachypnoea, subcostal recession and hypoxia on examination. An initial diagnosis of bronchiolitis was made. The authors explore how the correct diagnosis of congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) was reached, highlighting key clinical signs and investigations. He had evidence of a hyperinflated right middle lobe, with collapse of right upper and lower lobes and left upper lobe with associated mediastinal shift on chest x-ray (CXR) and CT scan. He was referred to the regional Paediatric Cardiothoracic Centre where right middle lobectomy was performed with complete resolution of his respiratory distress and re-expansion of the compressed lobes on CXR. Current literature concerning CLE is reviewed.