Selective unilateral lung ventilation in preterm infants with acquired bullous emphysema: a series of nine cases

Management of severe right lung cystic pulmonary interstitial emphysema in an infant at 24 weeks gestation with bedside selective left main stem bronchial intubation: Case report and review of the literature

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a severe complication of mechanical ventilation in preterm infants. Selective bronchial intubation is a rarely used treatment strategy, as it is challenging, especially left main stem bronchial intubation. We report our experience in an infant at 24 weeks gestation with bedside left main stem bronchial intubation using flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. We also describe in detail the procedural details involved in the selective left main stem bronchial intubation including the helpful technique of gently bending the tip of the endotracheal tube to create "memory" to better direct the tube into the left main-stem bronchus while using the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. A review of the literature regarding selective bronchial intubation in newborn infants is presented. This case report and literature review suggest that bedside left main stem bronchial intubation using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is a viable option to successfully manage even the most unstable extreme premature infant with unilateral right lung cystic PIE. This may potentially prevent a rare but necessary invasive surgical procedure like lobectomy or even death.

Pulmonary pneumatoceles in neonates

Pulmonary pneumatoceles were relatively common in neonates in the pre-surfactant era. In the current era of surfactant, noninvasive and gentle invasive ventilation there is a paucity of data on clinical characteristics and outcomes of pneumatoceles in neonates. The lesion generally resolves spontaneously, but a few cases follow a complicated course with formation of extensive and expanding lesions. To better understand the pathophysiology, clinical significance, natural history, complications, treatment options and prognosis of pulmonary pneumatoceles in neonates, an extensive research was performed on the databases of medical literature. The information collected in this review is important for the clinicians in decision-making, especially in the most difficult cases.

A Case of Persistent Air Leak Managed by Selective Left Main Bronchus Intubation in an Infant with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND Persistent air leak, or persistent pneumothorax, is defined as a pneumothorax that persists beyond the first week, or air leak through a chest drain for more than 48 hours. The most common findings in pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis are parenchymal disease and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, but airway obstruction can cause emphysema and pneumothorax. A case is presented of persistent air leak in a 3-month-old infant with pulmonary tuberculosis that was managed by selective left main bronchus intubation. CASE REPORT A 3-month-old boy presented with respiratory distress and fever. Imaging findings suggested pulmonary tuberculosis, and first-line anti-tuberculous treatment was initiated with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (HRZE). He was discharged home after eight days, but was admitted four days later with respiratory distress. Chest X-rays showed a tension pneumothorax that required drainage and chest computed tomography (CT) showed right lung emphysema. Bronchoscopy found extrinsic obstruction of both main bronchi. Chest drains continued to leak air leak after 48 h. Right middle and lower lobectomy and drainage of multiple lymph nodes resulted in significant improvement. He developed pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which prevented mechanical ventilation. The left main bronchus was selectively intubated to allow the air leak to heal and to ventilate the lung. He was extubated 10 days later and recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights that when medical management of persistent air leak associated with tuberculosis is not effective, surgery, active ventilation, and selective main bronchus intubation should be considered.

Selective left mainstem bronchial intubation in the neonatal intensive care unit

Background

Selective neonatal left mainstem bronchial intubation to treat right lung disease is typically achieved with elaborate maneuvers, instrumentation and devices. This is often attributed to bronchial geometry which favors right mainstem entry of an endotracheal tube deliberately advanced beyond the carina.

Case summary

A neonate with severe bullous emphysema affecting the right lung required urgent non-ventilation of that lung. We achieved left mainstem bronchial intubation by turning the endotracheal tube 180° such that the Murphy's eye faced the left instead of the right, and simulated a left-handed intubation by slightly orientating the endotracheal tube such that its concavity faced the left instead of the right as in a conventional right-handed intubation.

Conclusion

Urgent intubation of the left mainstem bronchus with an endotracheal tube can be easily achieved by recognizing that it is the position of the endotracheal tube tip and the direction of its concavity that are the chief determinants of which bronchus an endotracheal tube goes when advanced. This is important in critically ill neonates as the margin of safety and time window are small, and the absence of double-lumen tubes. Use of fiberoptic bronchoscope and blockers should be reserved as backup plans.

Successful percutaneous drainage of pneumatoceles in an extremely low-birthweight infant

Pneumatoceles are thin-walled, air-filled cystic lesions developing within the lung parenchyma. It used to be a relatively common entity in the presurfactant era when preterm babies were ventilated at an unacceptably high positive pressure for respiratory distress syndrome. Pneumatocele formation is a very rare complication of pneumonia in neonates. We here report a case of extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) neonate who developed large bilateral pneumatoceles after staphylococcal pneumonia. Hereby, we present a case of an ELBW infant with bilateral massive pneumatoceles who underwent successful percutaneous catheter drainage to decompress these pneumatoceles.

Application of Selective Bronchial Intubation versus Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist in the Management of Unilateral Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema: An Illustrative Case and the Literature Review

In the treatment of left-sided pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) in a 23-week neonate, we used two ventilatory strategies: selective bronchial intubation from day 10 to 15 and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) from day 18 to 26. We compared the effects and adverse effects of these two strategies. On selective bronchial intubation, desaturation was frequent. Fentanyl infusion was required. There was an episode of carbon dioxide retention coupled with hypotension. On NAVA, the neonate was clinically stable without the requirement of sedation. On selective bronchial intubation, ventilator setting in terms of mean airway pressure and oxygen requirement was higher, which came down on the first day of NAVA. Radiologically unilateral PIE did not resolve and became localized in the left middle zone of lung field on selective bronchial intubation. Also, the lobar collapse of ipsilateral, as well as contralateral lungs occurred. On NAVA, unilateral PIE resolved. NAVA might be a good option for the management of unilateral PIE.