Congenital lobar emphysema

Congenital lobar emphysema is a cause of respiratory distress during infanc y that may present a diagnostic problem. Recognition of this entity is rewa rding, because excisional therapy is fairly specific and the results are sa tisfactory. We present two infants aged 7 weeks and 2 days with congenital lobar emphysema who were diagnosed and treated in our institution for the p ast two years. Published work is reviewed; diagnostic and treatment issues are discussed.