Preferential Distribution of Lobar Emphysema and Atelectasis in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

¹ New England Medical Center Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston

The chest roentgenograms of 142 neonates who survived mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress syndrome (N = 99) and prolonged apnea (N = 43) were reviewed. Thirty-seven infants had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and 17 of these developed lobar hyperinflation of the right lower lobe and collapse of the right upper lobe. Regional lung function was measured with a xenon 133 technique in three of these infants and in five other patients who either died or were lost to follow-up. All had BPD with right lower lobe overinflation. Ventilation was less in the lower regions than the upper regions bilaterally ( P <.001), indicating that the hyperinfiation of the lower lobes was not compensatory for upper lobe collapse but was due to emphysema. Mean regional perfusion was equal in the upper and lower regions of the chest. This preferential distribution of lobar emphysema and ipsilateral atelectasis in BPD tended to present and regress simultaneously, but in many infants it lasted as long as eight weeks. Only one infant with persistent atelectasis developed pneumonia. The best mode of therapy appears to be supportive.