UNILATERAL PSEUDOEMPHYSEMA—A CASE REPORT

Abstract

This paper describes unilateral pseudoemphysema and reports the case of a 19-month-old boy in whom this condition became apparent during the resolution of a severe and prolonged bronchopneumonia. The findings in this case are similar to those found in the literature, but, in contrast to previous reports, these findings were observed as they became clinically apparent. This is a rare condition consisting of poor ventilation of one lung which is radiolucent on x-ray but normal or small in size. There is no obstruction to its major bronchi, but diffuse obstruction of the minor bronchi is seen on the bronchogram and this has been confirmed in the few pathologic studies available. The pulmonary artery as seen on the angiogram is uniformly smaller than its fellow but appears normal in the pathologic specimens. The involved lung is a functionless sac that contains enough air to remain inflated but contributes little or nothing to oxygen uptake.