The value of cardiac catheterization and cineangiography in infantile lobar emphysema

Pediatr Radiol. 1980 Nov;10(2):71-4. doi: 10.1007/BF01001742.

Abstract

Lobar emphysema is an uncommon cause of respiratory distress in infancy. Congenital heart disease is seen in about 20% of the patients with infantile (congenital) lobar emphysema. We described six infants with lobar emphysema. In three of them a congenital heart disease was demonstrated by cardiac catheterization and cineangiography; two had a tetralogy of Fallot with right aortic arch and the third infant a ventricular septal defect. The pulmonary angiography showed stretching of the arteries with very poor filling of the peripheral arteries and a characteristic smaller pulmonary vein in the affected lobe. In all the six patients the pulmonary artery pressure was normal. All the patients underwent lobectomy with good results. We feel that a preoperative cardiac catheterization and cineangiography is of value in this very sick group of infants.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Catheterization*
  • Cineangiography*
  • Female
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / complications
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / complications
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / diagnostic imaging*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / etiology
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / complications
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / diagnostic imaging