Lobar Emphysema vs. Lung Cyst

Left picture: The diagnosis in this newborn is a lobar emphysema of the right upper lobe. Right picture: This neonate has a lung cyst of the right lower lobe. In both pathologies an RDS develops by means of a valve mechanism, only gradually getting worse. The history and the demonstrated findings on the chest x-ray may suggest the mentioned pathologies, especially since the lobar emphysema is encountered mainly in the upper lobe, and the lung cyst mainly in the lower lobe of the lung.

Both neonates develop a progressive RDS, and the chest x-rays show a displacement of the normal lung structure by a clear zone. Left picture: The clear zone progressively occupies nearly the whole right hemithorax except for a triangular part with increased pattern of lung structure at the bottom (pictures from the left to the right). The displacement of the lung structure occurs downwards. Right picture: Lung structure is visible everywhere on the medial part of the right hemithorax, and the lateral clear zone has a rounded shape. The displacement of the lung structure occurs upward.