[Postnatally acquired pulmonary cyst: differential diagnosis of pediatric cystic pulmonary lesions].

BACKGROUND

Differential diagnosis of infantile pulmonary cysts comprises congenital cystic lesions (including foregut cysts) and pneumatoceles (i.e., pulmonary cysts of acquired, inflammatory or traumatic origin).

CASE

We report the resection of a subpleural air-filled lung cyst of 4 cm in a former preterm (33rd week of pregnancy) at the age of 8 months that was first diagnosed 7 days postnatally by chest X-ray. Pneumatocele was diagnosed pathomorphologically.

CONCLUSION

In children, most pneumatoceles are caused by trauma or pneumonia. In the case described, disruption of subpleural alveolar walls due to high pressure ventilation is the likely cause. Differential diagnoses are discussed.