Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association
-
Pneumatoceles are gas-filled cysts within the lung parenchyma resulting mostly from ventilator-induced lung injury and air-leak in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. The use of surfactant in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome has resulted in a decrease in the incidence of air-leak disease. Our aim was to study the incidence and clinical course of pneumatoceles in the surfactant era. ⋯ Pneumatoceles are a manifestation of intrathoracic air-leaks of prematurity. They are markers for ventilator-induced lung injury and are associated with significant mortality similar to other intrathoracic air-leaks. However, conservative management with reduction in mean airway pressure is effective in the resolution of this condition and interventional decompression of the pneumatocele is generally not necessary.