From incidental findings to diagnosis: Adult presentation of asymptomatic congenital lobar emphysema

Abstract

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare congenital lung anomaly that is typically diagnosed in infancy. Adult presentations are exceptionally uncommon, and most cases are discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions. We present two cases of CLE diagnosed in asymptomatic adults, emphasizing the critical role of imaging in diagnosis and outlining the considerations for conservative management. These cases contribute to the understanding of CLE in adult patients.