Congenital lobar emphysema is described as a condition with respiratory distress caused by overinflation of one lobe of the lung, usually the left upper, right upper, or right middle lobe Onset happen to be anytime in the first 6 month of life,
but
frequently in the newborn period.
The respiratory distress may be severe, but in many cases it is mild, without cyanosis in room air. The chest radiograph shows overdistension of one lobe, compression of the adjacent lung, herniation across the mediastinum, and diaphragmatic
depression.
Before making this diagnosis, a mucus plug obstruction should be excluded by vigorous physical therapy of sometimes bronchoscopy,
We have experienced a 18 month-old boy with congenital lobar emphysema simulating foreign body of the left main bronchus, This patients was treated by the left upper lobe lobectomy. A brief review of the related literatures was made.
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