Steroid-induced resolution of refractory pulmonary interstitial emphysema.

Abstract

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a familiar complication of mechanical ventilation in premature infants. Its most severe form, marked by life-threatening respiratory and cardiovascular compromise, is a particularly vexing problem in neonatology. Treatment modalities rely on decubitus positioning and reduction of mean airway pressure, but refractory PIE is unresponsive to these maneuvers. Other options such as selective unilateral bronchial intubation, balloon catheter bronchial occlusion, selective lung volume reduction, and mechanical decompression each have clear limitations. In a patient with refractory, life-threatening PIE too unstable for other therapeutic modalities, we describe success with steroid therapy at a familiar dosing regimen.

• Authors: Sidharth Mahapatra, Brian Scottoline
• Journal: The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med) Vol. 29 Issue 24 Pg. 4092-5 (Dec 2016) ISSN: 1476-4954 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26952563 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Hydrocortisone

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage)
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (administration & dosage)
• Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight
• Infant, Extremely Premature
• Infant, Newborn
• Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
• Lung (diagnostic imaging)
• Male
• Pulmonary Emphysema (complications, drug therapy)
• Radiography
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn (drug therapy, etiology)