Acquired lobar emphysema in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: an iatrogenic disease?

Five premature infants in whom bronchopulmonary dysplasia developed following prolonged neonatal respiratory support are presented. In all five patients, right middle and/or lower lobe emphysema related to focal obstructing endobronchial masses of granulation tissue subsequently developed. It is speculated that the granulation tissue formed in response to the repeated mechanical trauma of endotracheal tube suctioning.