Hyaline membrane disease

Case contributed by Andrew Dixon
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Respiratory distress.

Patient Data

Age: Neonate (day 1)
Gender: Unknown
x-ray

Intubated neonate. Humeral head ossification centers are not seen suggesting prematurity. Bilateral ground glass density throughout both lungs with some air-bronchograms. Relative lucency of the right hemithorax with pleural edge seen laterally and in the right costophrenic region consistent with pneumothorax. Normal cardiothymic contour.

Case Discussion

Findings are consistent with hyaline membrane disease in a premature neonate complicated by pneumothorax from barotrauma. The lungs are well expanded as the patient is intubated. In a non-intubated patient with HMD the lungs would demonstrate reduced volume.

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