Tension cysts of the lung in infancy and childhood

• 1.

  Eight cases demonstrating various forms of intra-pulmonary positive pressure phenomena, occurring in infancy and childhood, are presented.

• 2.

  Tension developmental cysts and obstructive emphysema due to congenital atresia of a bronchus or bronchioles are not uncommon causes of acute asphyxia during the first few weeks of life.

• 3.

  The radiological differentiation between tension cysts, obstructive emphysema and tension pneumothorax is difficult and unreliable.

• 4.

  Needling of the chest in these conditions is dangerous.

• 5.

  Exploratory thoracotomy and excision of the ballooned segment or lobe may prove a life-saving emergency surgical procedure.