BRONCHOSCOPIC APPEARANCES OF CONGENITAL LOBAR EMPHYSEMA

Although decreased bronchial cartilage is found in 50% of cases of con genital lobar emphysema (CLE), it can only be surmised that this defec t produces a ball valve effect with consequent overinflation. We descr ibe the flexible bronchoscopic features of CLE in a 3-year-old child. The observed airway patency during inspiration, and dynamic airway col lapse on expiration suggests that bronchomalacia contributes to lung o verinflation in these cases. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1996; 21:195-197. (C) 1 996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.