Two further cases supporting nonsurgical management in congenital lobar emphysema.

BACKGROUND

For decades, the well-established standard recommended treatment for patients with congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) and respiratory distress has been lobectomy of the affected lobe or lobes, whereas indications for conservative management have been controversially discussed.

PATIENTS/METHODS: Description of the clinical courses including the results of diagnostic procedures and the resulting therapeutic strategies in 2 patients with congenital lobar emphysema. We review the literature on conservatively treated patients with congenital lobar emphysema.

RESULTS

Considering that formerly asserted hypotheses postulating benefits of surgical treatment cannot unambiguously be corroborated from cases in literature, we could show that conservative treatment in patients with congenital lobar emphysema is appropriate in mildly to moderately symptomatic children.

CONCLUSION

Conservative treatment of children with congenital lobar emphysema is an attractive option, whenever justifiable on medical grounds. Our cases may serve as paradigms in decision-making processes in similar cases and - together with the literature review - may be helpful to avoid unnecessary lobectomies in children. Patients treated conservatively will need a close follow-up, and further data on long-term follow-up courses are desirable.