[Congenital lobar emphysema].
BACKGROUND: Congenital lobar emphysema is characterized by overinflation of pulmonary lobe and is caused by localised bronchial obstruction. The disease may result in severe respiratory distress in early infancy. METHODS: Records of children, with congenital lobar emphysema, who were treated at our department between 1997-2003, were reviewed. RESULTS: Three males, aged 16 days till 1 year, were diagnosticed as congenital lobar emphysema. Presenting symptoms were dyspnea in 2 patients, cyanosis in 2 patients, wheesing in 2 patients, recurrent respiratory tract infection in 2 patients. Chest x rays and computerized tomography scans showed hyperinflation of the affected lobe in all patients. The affected sites were left upper lobe in 2 patients and right upper lobe in 1 patient. All patients underwent lobectomy. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to suspect on this uncommon anomaly in early infancy. The diagnosis was established by chest x rays and CT scans. Intensive therapy and urgent lobectomy, in severe respiratory distress, are condition for successfully treatment.