title: Lung ultrasound-guided emergency pneumothorax needle aspiration in a very preterm infant.
abstract: Pneumothorax is a frequent critical situation in the neonatal intensive care unit. Diagnosis relies on clinical judgement, transillumination and chest radiogram. We report the case of a very preterm infant suddenly developing significant and persistent desaturation and bradycardia. Re-intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were performed. Clinical and cold light examination were not suggestive of pneumothorax according to two experienced neonatologists. A lung ultrasound scan showed evidence of right pneumothorax that was promptly aspirated. Approximately 20 min later, a chest radiogram confirmed the ultrasound diagnosis. Point-of-care lung ultrasound is a useful tool for detecting symptomatic pneumothorax and accelerating its treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Università "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Migliaro
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Università "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sodano
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Università "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Università "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raimondi
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D004322:Drainage; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008168:Lung; D009339:Needles; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013396:Suction; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography