title: An infant with a hyperlucent chest mass: An unexpected diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report an unusual finding of pneumatocele in an infant.
  
  
  METHODS
  A previously well four month old presented with worsening respiratory distress over 6 weeks. He had no antecedent signs or symptoms of respiratory infection. Chest radiograph demonstrated a lucent hemithorax concerning for tension pneumothorax. Urgent needle decompression was performed. Chest CT showed a persistent dominant macrocyst on the left. Thoracotomy revealed a large cystic lesion necessitating a left lower lobectomy. Histopathology was consistent with a pneumatocele. He remains clinically stable at 16 months postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pneumatocele is a rare cause of cystic lung disease presenting in infancy. The young age at onset, prolonged symptoms without preceding infection, and tension physiology in our patient are unique.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Zarmina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ehsan
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Jaimie D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Nathan
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Carolyn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kercsmar
mesh_terms: D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
keywords: infant; pneumatocele