Neonatal pulmonary infarction. A cause of 'cystlike' lucencies on the chest roentgenogram.
Perinatal pulmonary infarction is a difficult and infrequently made diagnosis. A male newborn had infarction of most of the right lung secondary to perinatal pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Serial chest roentgenograms initially showed opacity of most of the right lung, followed by the appearance of well-defined radiolucencies resembling pneumatoceles associated with mass effect. By the 25th day of life the localized "cystlike" lucencies were no longer evident and the right lung appeared predominantly hyperlucent. Although the presence of underlying disease makes the diagnosis of PTE in the infant and young child difficult, the clinical features and methods of diagnosis of PTE in this age group are similar to those for the adult. The diagnosis of PTE should be considered in the infant with respiratory distress and unusual findings on chest roentgenography.
D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007238:Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors