We report on a case of pulmonary tuberculosis in a fifteen-month-old girl who was referred to our practice for tests following recurrent pneumonia. The chest X-ray showed localised condensation in the middle lobe with signs suggestive of atelectasis.

Atelectasis is a common problem in paediatric patients, and tends to be secondary to bronchial obstruction due to mucus plugs. We analyse the types of atelectasis and their most common causes. Moreover, we stress the usefulness of certain techniques that are considered to be aggressive, like the fibrobronchoscopy, but which in reality are simple tests with a high level of diagnostic and therapeutic productivity. The approach to atelectases depends on the underlying cause, and it is essential to treat both the underlying disease as well as the collapsed lung; in most cases, a conservative approach is sufficient.

We developed a case of congenital lobar emphysema, which presented itself as a symptom of respiratory distress and a catar­rhal context.

Congenital lobar emphysema is a anatomoclinical entity, characterized by over distension and air entrapment of affected lobe in the affected lobe, concomitant compression of the remaining pulmonary tissue and mediastinal displacement (herniation of the emphysematous lobe through the contra lateral lung). In half of the cases, approximately, etiology is unknown. The rest is related to extrinsic or intrinsic bronchial obstruction. Nowadays the most accepted treatment is the one based on expectant long-term management of asymptomatic cases, and lobectomy, which is, the surgical excision of the affected lobe is the correct treatment in symptomatic patients.