Congenital lobar emphysema: an Otolaryngologic perspective

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is an uncommon but potentially life threatening pulmonary abnormality affecting infants. Patients often present within the first 6 months of life with recurrent respiratory distress as a result of hyperinflation of the affected pulmonary lobe, and resultant near total collapse of normal lung parenchyma. We present a case of a 2-month-old infant with recurrent admissions for respiratory distress.