A Pediatric Radiology textbook and Pediatric Radiology digital library
Pneumatocele
Etiology: transient collection of interstitial air due to staphylococcus pneumonia (necrotic bronchi), blunt thoracic trauma, positive pressure ventilation, hydrocarbon ingestion
Imaging: has thin wall, usually no air-fluid level in infectious cases, occurs later in infection
DDX: abscess — Abscess appears earlier in infection, has thick irregular walls, lasts long time — Pneumatocoele occurs later in infection, has thin wall, usually no air fluid level
Cases of Pneumatocele
CXR shows a large thin walled cystic lesion in the left lower lobe.CXR AP shows patchy airspace disease in the right lung. Axial CT with contrast of the chest shows right-sided airspace disease as well as thin-walled cysts with fluid-fluid levels.