IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema

Case contributed by The Radswiki
Diagnosis almost certain
x-ray

Intubated neonate.

Hyperlucent right hemithorax with multiple interstitial bubble-like lucencies that radiate from the hila. Radiating bands of increased density represent blood vessels surrounded by interstitial gas and compressed interstitium.

Features are of pulmonary interstitial emphysema in a preterm neonate who has probably got RDS.

Case Discussion

There are radiating bubble-like lucencies from the hilum of both lungs, greater on the right.  Features here are of pulmonary interstitial emphysema which has occurred secondary to over-ventilation.

Oftentimes, the clinical teams simply adjust ventilatory pressures and watch as the chest radiograph findings resolve.

These images are from Dr. Paula Brill's excellent pediatric radiology collection. Dr. Brill is a professor in the department of radiology (pediatric section) at Weill Cornell. This case was donated to Radiopaedia.org by Radswiki.net

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.