[Emphysematous cystitis: an uncommon cause of abdominal pain]. / Cistitis enfisematosa: una causa poco frecuente de dolor abdominal.

An 82-year-old woman with a previous medical history of hypertension and hypothyroidism was admitted to the emergency department for abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion and changes in her overall condition over several days. At the emergency department, the patient was febrile and her blood tests showed elevated C-reactive protein without leukocytosis (8.9 × 10^9/L). In the current context, a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS was performed and was negative. With these results, the initial suspicion was that of an infectious condition of gastrointestinal origin. The urine sample was oul-smelling with presence of leukocytes and nitrites and was sent out for culture. In the setting of probable urinary tract infection, empirical antibiotic treatment was started with a third generation cephalosporin. It was decided to perform a total body scanner in order to evaluate the presence of other infectious foci. The study described the presence of emphysematous cystitis, a rare pathology in a patient without any of the classic risk factors for this entity. Urine and blood cultures were positive for Escherichia coli sensitive to the empiric antibiotic which was continued to complete 7 days. The clinical course was favorable.

Una mujer de 82 años con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial e hipotiroidismo acudió al servicio de urgencias por dolor abdominal, diarrea, confusión y deterioro de su estado general de varios días de evolución. A su admisión, la paciente se encontraba febril y la analítica mostró una elevación de la proteína C reactiva sin leucocitosis (8.9 × 10

[Emphysematous gastritis. Report of a case in the elderly]. / Gastritis enfisematosa. Reporte de un caso en el adulto mayor.

Introduction: Emphysematous gastritis is an uncommon pathology but with high mortality, its clinical presentation is insidious, the tomography image is distinguished by a pattern of linear bubbles with thickening of the gastric wall. Background: This is a 78-year-old male, previously healthy, functional, who was admitted for pertrochanteric fracture of the left hip, who during hospitalization presented hyperactive delirium, abdominal distention with decreased perstalsis in addition to arterial hypotension, an abdominal tomography with evidence of gastric dilation and multiple air bubbles in the wall. He is managed with a broad spectrum antibiotic, fluid therapy and parenteral nutrition, with a favorable response. Conclusions: Advanced age does not in itself lead to a worse disease prognosis, the evidence supports that early diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention are the measures that have proven to be more effective in reducing mortality in patients with emphysematous gastritis.

Introducción: la gastritis enfisematosa es una patología poco común pero con alta mortalidad, su presentación clínica es insidiosa, la imagen por tomografía se distingue por un patrón de burbujas lineales con engrosamiento de la pared gástrica. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 78 años, previamente sano, funcional, que fue ingresado por fractura pertrocantérica de cadera izquierda, quien durante la hospitalización presenta delirium hiperactivo, distención abdominal con disminución de perístalsis además de hipotensión arterial, se realiza tomografía abdominal con evidencia de dilatación gástrica y múltiples burbujas de aire en pared. Es manejado con antibiótico de amplio espectro, fluidoterapia y nutrición parenteral, con respuesta favorable. Conclusiones: la edad avanzada no conlleva por sí misma un peor pronóstico de la enfermedad, la evidencia apoya que un diagnóstico precoz y la intervención terapéutica temprana, son las medidas que han demostrado ser efectivas para la disminución de la mortalidad en pacientes con gastritis enfisematosa.

Gastritis enfisematosa. Reporte de un caso en el adulto mayor / Emphysematous gastritis. Report of a case in the elderly

Introducción: la gastritis enfisematosa es una patología poco común pero con alta mortalidad, su presentación clínica es insidiosa, la imagen por tomografía se distingue por un patrón de burbujas lineales con engrosamiento de la pared gástrica. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 78 años, previamente sano, funcional, que fue ingresado por fractura pertrocantérica de cadera izquierda, quien durante la hospitalización presenta delirium hiperactivo, distención abdominal con disminución de perístalsis además de hipotensión arterial, se realiza tomografía abdominal con evidencia de dilatación gástrica y múltiples burbujas de aire en pared. Es manejado con antibiótico de amplio espectro, fluidoterapia y nutrición parenteral, con respuesta favorable.Conclusiones: la edad avanzada no conlleva por sí misma un peor pronóstico de la enfermedad, la evidencia apoya que un diagnóstico precoz y la intervención terapéutica temprana, son las medidas que han demostrado ser efectivas para la disminución de la mortalidad en pacientes con gastritis enfisematosa

Introduction: Emphysematous gastritis is an uncommon pathology but with high mortality, its clinical presentation is insidious, the tomography image is distinguished by a pattern of linear bubbles with thickening of the gastric wall.Background: This is a 78-year-old male, previously healthy, functional, who was admitted for pertrochanteric fracture of the left hip, who during hospitalization presented hyperactive delirium, abdominal distention with decreased perstalsis in addition to arterial hypotension, an abdominal tomography with evidence of gastric dilation and multiple air bubbles in the wall. He is managed with a broad spectrum antibiotic, fluid therapy and parenteral nutrition, with a favorable response.Conclusions: Advanced age does not in itself lead to a worse disease prognosis, the evidence supports that early diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention are the easures that have proven to be more effective in reducing mortality in patients with emphysematous gastritis.

Predictive factors for mortality and intensive care unit admission in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis: 5-year experience in a tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening infection of the kidney and surrounding tissues associated with a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to determine predictive factors for mortality and intensive care unit admission in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis, and to propose a therapeutic algorithm based on current literature and our experience. METHODS: A retrospective study was done including patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis in a single center in the north of Mexico from 2011 to 2016. Demographic, clinical, microbiological and biochemical parameters, therapeutic management, and outcomes were assessed. Factors associated with admission to intensive care unit and mortality were determined. Comparison was assessed using X2 test for categorical variables, and T-test for numerical variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were included, of which 55 (87.3%) were females, with a mean age of 55.5 ±â€¯12.2 years. The most common comorbidities were diabetes and hypertension. Escherichia coli was the most common isolated microorganism (51.7%) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing agents were reported in 31.7%. Conservative therapy was provided to 38.7%, double J stent 42.9%, open/percutaneous drainage 12.7%, and nephrectomy 25.3%. Overall mortality and intensive care admission were 20.6% and 36.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, hemodynamic instability (P = .005), qSOFA ≥ 2 (P = .003), hypoalbuminemia (P = .02), and early nephrectomy (P = .002) were associated with intensive care admission. Huang scale 4 (P = .006) and early nephrectomy (P = .001) were associated to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening disease and evidence of management is based in small case series due to the low incidence of this condition. Hemodynamic instability, hypoalbuminemia, qSOFA ≥ 2, Huang scale ≥3, and early nephrectomy are associated with poor prognosis.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis caused by C. glabrata.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare acute necrotizing infection of the kidney and surrounding tissues, with gas in the renal parenchyma, collecting system or perirenal tissue. The bacterial etiology predominates; mainly Gram-negative bacilli; Candida spp. and C. albicans are rarely described. We describe a case of EPN caused by C. glabrata, sensitive to fluconazole in a young, hypertensive woman with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM), with renal dysfunction upon admission; her abdominal CT scan found a volumetric increase in the left kidney, signs of gas collections and perirenal blurring. Despite the antimicrobial therapy instituted, due to clinical refractoriness, a double J catheter and subsequent total nephrectomy were indicated, with good postoperative evolution. Her uroculture showed C. glabrata sensitive to fluconazole, and the pathology study showed tubular atrophy and intense interstitial inflammatory infiltrate. Despite the serious, potentially fatal condition, we could control the infection and the patient recovered fully. Poor DM management is an important triggering factor, and it is of great relevance to identify the EPN through imaging exams due to the peculiarities of its clinical and potentially surgical management.

[Prognostic factors of morbimortality in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis]. / Factores pronósticos de morbimortalidad en pacientes con pielonefritis enfisematosa.

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe infection of the urinary tract, caused by gas accumulation within the collecting system, the renal parenchyma, and/or the perirenal tissue. The cause of this infection is not known at all; however, it has been suggested that it is produced by the glucose fermentation provoked by enterobacteriaceae or anaerobic organisms. Our objective was to evaluate the predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with EPN. METHODS: It was carried out a historical cohort study of patients diagnosed with EPN in our hospital from March 2005 to December 2014. Patients with adverse outcome were identified. We defined adverse outcome as patients requiring stay in intensive care unit, who presented nephrectomy and/or who died. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to establish the relation of each clinical factor with the adverse outcome. RESULTS: 73 records were included for analysis, 48 were women (65.8 %) and 25 men. Diabetes, urolithiasis, E. coli infection and septic shock occurred in 68.5, 68.5, 63, and 15.1 %, respectively. We found that leukocytosis ≥12 000 µl (OR 43.65, 95 % CI 2.36-805, p <0.001), thrombocytopenia ≤120 000 µl (OR 363, 95 % 9.2-14208, p <0.0001), and Huang's radiological class 3 (OR 62, 95 % CI 4-964, p < 0.001) were factors significantly associated with adverse outcome. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis and Huang's radiological class 3 are associated with adverse outcome in patients with EPN.

Introducción: La pielonefritis enfisematosa es una infección grave del tracto urinario caracterizada por la presencia de gas en los sistemas colectores, en el parénquima renal o en el tejido perirrenal; su causa no es del todo conocida, pero se ha sugerido que se debe a la fermentación de glucosa por enterobacterias y anaerobios. El objetivo fue evaluar los factores pronósticos de morbimortalidad en pacientes con diagnóstico de pielonefritis enfisematosa. Métodos: estudio de cohorte histórica en pacientes con diagnóstico de pielonefritis enfisematosa que ingresaron a nuestro hospital de marzo de 2005 a diciembre de 2014. Se identificaron los pacientes con desenlace adverso definido como aquel que requirió estancia en unidad de cuidados intensivos, nefrectomía o muerte. Se realizó una regresión logística múltiple para obtener la relación de cada factor pronóstico con el desenlace adverso. Resultados: Fueron evaluados 73 pacientes (48 mujeres [65.8 %]). Diabetes, litiasis urinaria, infección por Escherichia coli y el estado de choque se presentaron en 68.5 %, 68.5 %, 63 % y 15.1 %, respectivamente. Fueron factores significativos para desenlace adverso la leucocitosis ≥ 12 000 µL (RM 43.65, IC 95 % 2.36-805, p < 0.001), la trombocitopenia ≤ 120 000 µL (RM 363, IC 95 % 9.2-14208, p < 0.0001), y la clase radiológica 3 de Huang (RM 62, IC 95 % 4-964, p < 0.001). Conclusión: la trombocitopenia, la leucocitosis y la clase radiológica 3 se asociaron con un desenlace adverso en los pacientes con pielonefritis enfisematosa.

Fissure Integrity and Volume Reduction in Emphysema: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: One-way endobronchial valves (EBVs) relieve symptoms of emphysema, particularly in patients without collateral ventilation between the target and adjacent lobes. Pretreatment knowledge of fissure integrity could serve as an aid in indicating EBV interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between software-measured lung fissure integrity and clinically relevant lung volume reduction (≥350 ml) in emphysema patients treated with one-way EBVs using a lobar exclusion strategy. METHODS: Of 108 patients treated between March 2008 and July 2014, 38 had both baseline and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans acquired following a specific protocol for quantitative CT analysis and were included in the study (total of 39 treatments, two lungs treated in 1 patient). Outcome measures were fissure integrity measured on baseline CT scans, difference between pre- and postoperative lung volume (considering the lowest measured postoperative volume), and correlation between fissure integrity and volume change. RESULTS: Fissure integrity ≥75% correlated with volume reduction ≥350 ml (Spearman coefficient: -0.65; p < 0.01). The mean and median volume reductions were 1,223.96 ± 907.5 ml and 663 ml, respectively, for lungs with fissure integrity ≥75% (n = 31). The accuracy of fissure integrity ≥75% in predicting a volume reduction was 87.2%. The positive predictive value of fissure integrity ≥75% to predict a volume reduction ≥350 ml was 83.9%, and it was 70% for fissure integrity 75-90% and 90.5% for fissure integrity >90%. CONCLUSIONS: A target lobe volume reduction using EBVs is possible with lung fissure integrity ≥75%. For patients with fissure integrity between 75 and 90%, a further evaluation of interlobar ventilation should be performed. A clinically relevant volume reduction following treatment with EBVs is likely with any level of fissure integrity >90%.

Medical versus surgical management for emphysematous pancreatic necrosis: is gas within pancreatic necrosis an absolute indication for surgery?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pancreatic necrosis with presence of gas is an absolute indication for surgery or if there is a possibility for the medical management of this pathology. METHODS: This study is a retrospective study including 56 patients with diagnosis of pancreatic necrosis and gas on computed tomography from April 2003 to March 2011. We recorded all the factors related to each group of treatment, including APACHE II score, C-reactive protein level, Tomographic Severity Index, organ and multiorgan failure, and infected necrosis after fine-needle puncture, to evaluate the differences between surgical and medical treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-six (64%) of these patients were submitted to surgery, whereas 20 (36%) were managed conservatively. Twenty-eight patients (78%) who underwent surgery had infected necrosis. Thirty-five percent of the patients (7 patients) in the medical group had organ failure versus 83% of the patients in the surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic necrosis with gas on computed tomography is a relative indication for surgery. Medical management is a feasible and safe possibility for this pathology in selected cases. The presence of organ failure and infected necrosis often precludes a surgical treatment.

Ascending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Mediastinal infections usually originate from postoperative complications or in a descending manner from a cervical infectious process; few reports have emerged describing an ascending trajectory. A 56-year-old woman with a Huang class 1 left emphysematous pyelonephritis was referred due to a progression of an ascending necrotizing mediastinitis. A left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed, drainage and thorough lavage were carried out with a successful outcome. We believe this is the first reported case of ascending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to an emphysematous renal infection.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: multicenter clinical and therapeutic experience in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcomes of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), the impact of different treatment modalities, and to determine risk factors associated with mortality. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cases of EPN from 3 tertiary care institutions in Mexico. The diagnosis was confirmed with computed tomographic scan. Treatment was classified as follows: medical management (MM), minimally invasive, and surgical. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and radiological characteristics were assessed and compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Comparison was assessed using 1-way analysis of variance and chi-square. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors. Main end point was mortality. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included (49 women and 13 men), with a mean age of 53.9 years. The most common comorbidities were diabetes (69.3%) and hypertension (40.3%). Escherichia coli was the most common isolated microorganism (62.7%). MM was provided to 24.2%, minimally invasive treatment to 51.6%, open drainage to 19.3%, and emergency nephrectomy to 4.8%. Overall mortality was 14.5% and was similar among different treatment modalities (P=.06). Survivors were younger (P=.004), had lower creatinine (P=.002), and better estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=.007). In univariate analysis, age (P=.009), creatinine (P=.009), and need for nephrectomy (P=.03) were associated with mortality. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, creatinine (odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.03-2.35, P=.03) and nephrectomy (odds ratio 9.7, 95% confidence interval 1.007-93.51, P=.049) remained significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: EPN needs an aggressive MM and stepwise approach; nephrectomy should be the last resort of treatment. Creatinine level and need for nephrectomy are the strongest predictors of mortality according our analysis.

Computed tomography scan in supine and prone positions: an alternative method to detect intramural gas in emphysematous cystitis and to evaluate efficacy after adjuvant continuous intravesical irrigation treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of continuous intravesical irrigation with saline plus amikacin as adjuvant therapy and to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) scan in supine and prone positions (CystoCT scan) as an alternative diagnostic and evaluation method of intramural gas in emphysematous cystitis (EC) before and after treatment. METHODS: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of EC who were hospitalized between March 2006 and January 2011 were investigated. The diagnosis was made by CystoCT scan. Treatment consisted of intravenous antibiotics, control of concomitant diseases, and placement of a 3-way urinary catheter for continuous irrigation of 500 mg of amikacin diluted in 1 l of saline given on days 0, 3, and 7. Treatment was considered successful when there was an absence of gas in the bladder wall, the urine culture was negative, there was clinical improvement, and there was an absence of toxicity. RESULTS: Eleven patients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of EC during the study period. Four were excluded from the study, 2 due to the lack of confirmation of the diagnosis with the CystoCT scan. Treatment was successful in all patients; for 6 (86%) this was achieved in 3 days and for 1 (14%) in 7 days. No toxicity was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous intravesical irrigation with saline plus amikacin as adjuvant treatment of EC is an inexpensive, effective, and safe tool that might help conventional treatment and provide a rapid recovery. The CystoCT scan is an alternative method to diagnose and evaluate intramural gas in EC patients. These findings should be challenged in a randomized, multi-centre, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Protective effects of bone marrow mononuclear cell therapy on lung and heart in an elastase-induced emphysema model.

We hypothesized that bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell (BMDMC) therapy protects the lung and consequently the heart in experimental elastase-induced emphysema. Twenty-four female C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally instilled with saline (C group) or porcine pancreatic elastase (E group) once a week during 4 weeks. C and E groups were randomized into subgroups receiving saline (SAL) or male BMDMCs (2 × 10(6), CELL) intravenously 3h after the first saline or elastase instillation. Compared to E-SAL group, E-CELL mice showed, at 5 weeks: lower mean linear intercept, neutrophil infiltration, elastolysis, collagen fiber deposition in alveolar septa and pulmonary vessel wall, lung cell apoptosis, right ventricle wall thickness and area, higher endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor mRNA expressions in lung tissue, and reduced platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-ß, and caspase-3 expressions. In conclusion, BMDMC therapy was effective at modulating the inflammatory and remodeling processes in the present model of elastase-induced emphysema.

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis. Case report]. / Pielonefritis enfisematosa. Comunicación de un caso.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an unusual case of emphysematous pyelonephritis, a disease with high morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We present the case of a 62-year old diabetic female with history of kidney stones, who consulted for fever, left lower-back pain and impairment of the general condition. Abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed a perinephric collection of air reaching the abdominal wall. RESULTS: After initial medical management with antibiotics and general supportive measures, we performed an open incision and drainage. A week later, signs of sepsis reappeared and the left kidney was excised. The patient died two weeks later of septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: This disease must be suspected in diabetic females with renal lithiasis and pyelonephritis not responding to treatment, and impaired general condition. Early diagnosis (computed tomography is the gold-standard) and supportive measures are essential for initial management. Surgery can be open (drainage, initial or deferred nephrectomy), percutaneous (nephrostomy) or endoscopic (double-J stent). Conservative management is a choice in bilateral or mild cases. Mortality rate is high and worsens with delayed therapy.

Utilização de células-tronco derivadas da medula óssea: terapia viável para doenças pulmonares obstrutivas crônicas? / Use of bone marrow stem cells: feasible therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Doenças pulmonares obstrutivas crônicas acarretam em redução na qualidade de vida dos portadores e altos gastos ao sistema público de saúde. Na maioria dos casos, o tratamento destas enfermidades envolve apenas medidas paliativas, o que as tornam grandes alvos de pesquisa com terapia celular. As células-tronco têm capacidade de se diferenciar em todos os tecidos que compõem o organismo devido à plasticidade, e sua ação na regeneração tecidual é comprovada apesar do mecanismo não estar totalmente elucidado. Células-tronco foram, em princípio, pesquisadas como panacéias para doenças neurológicas, cardiovasculares e diabetes. Os resultados favoráveis à utilização dessa terapia nestes sistemas impulsionaram pesquisas em doenças pulmonares obstrutivas crônicas, como enfisema, fibrose cística e fibrose pulmonar idiopática.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been targets of cell therapy research, because they decrease life quality, cost a lot to the public health system and can only be treated with palliative protocols. The stem cells are capable of differentiating into all body tissues, according to their plasticity, and its action in tissue regeneration is established, although the mechanism is not fully elucidated. Stem cells were initially investigated as panaceas for diabetes as well as for neurological and cardiovascular diseases. The positive results obtained with stem cell therapy in these systems stimulated research about its use for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema, cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[Sight-threatening orbital emphysema after nose blowing: case report]. / Enfisema orbitário compressivo após asseio nasal: relato de caso.

Orbital emphysema is the abnormal presence of air in the orbit. Occurrence in the absence of orbital fracture is rare. We report a case of a 40-year-old female presenting unilateral orbital emphysema after vigorous nose blowing. She developed sudden visual loss as a result of elevated intraocular pressure and urgent treatment was required. She underwent an orbital decompression, performed using a 24-gauge needle puncture adjacent to the supraorbital notch. After treatment, she reported considerable decrease of symptoms.

Enfisema orbitário compressivo após asseio nasal: relato de caso / Sight-threatening orbital emphysema after nose blowing: case report

O enfisema orbitário é caracterizado pela presença anormal de ar na órbita. Sua ocorrência espontânea não é frequente e a maioria dos casos está associada à fratura de órbita. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino de 40 anos com quadro de enfisema orbitário unilateral, secundário a asseio vigoroso do nariz. A paciente evoluiu com redução aguda da acuidade visual em decorrência de elevação da pressão intraocular, sendo indicado tratamento de urgência. Foi realizada punção orbitária com agulha 24-gauge próximo à região da incisura supraorbital, com melhora imediata do quadro clínico e recuperação da acuidade visual.

Orbital emphysema is the abnormal presence of air in the orbit. Occurrence in the absence of orbital fracture is rare. We report a case of a 40-year-old female presenting unilateral orbital emphysema after vigorous nose blowing. She developed sudden visual loss as a result of elevated intraocular pressure and urgent treatment was required. She underwent an orbital decompression, performed using a 24-gauge needle puncture adjacent to the supraorbital notch. After treatment, she reported considerable decrease of symptoms.

Acute bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis successfully managed by medical therapy alone: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life threatening condition usually occurring in diabetics. Management of this condition has traditionally been aggressive and surgery is considered mandatory. However, this is itself a hazardous intervention in a septic, unstable patient with circulatory or liver failure. When bilateral disease is present, the need for long-term dialysis is obviously unavoidable. CASE PRESENTATION: We herein report one of the few cases of bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis successfully managed by non-surgical treatment.

Pneumotórax e enfisema intersticial pulmonar: tratamento com oclusäo brônquica seletiva e ventilaçäo de alta freqüência / Pneumothorax and pulmonary intersticial emphysema: treatment with selective bronchial occlusion and high frequency ventilation

Objetivo: Relatar o uso da técnica de oclusäo seletiva de brônquio fonte com um cateter baläo, associada à ventilaçäo de alta freqüência, para o tratamento bem sucedido de um pneumotórax hipertensivo persistente à esquerda e enfisema intersticial grave. Métodos: Um recém-nascido com 20 horas de vida foi encaminhado para nossa UTI para tratamento de desconforto respiratório gravae e falência hemodinâmica após ocorrência de pneumotórax hipertensivo espontâneo à esquerda. O paciente piorou, apesar de ter sido colocado em ventilaçäo mecânica convencional, recebido reposiçäo hídrica e infusäo de drogas vasoativas. Por esse motivo, ele foi submetido à oclusäo seletiva de brônquio fonte esquerdo, uma medida que pode ser efetiva para interrupçäo do fluxo de gás para o pulmäo afetado, em situaçöes de lesäo pulmonar e escape aéreo. Para evitar o agravamento do enfisema intersticial e do escape de ar, essa medida foi associada à ventilaçäo de alta freqüência, caracterizada pela utilizaçäo de volumes correntes muito reduzidos, abaixo da capacidade resudual funcinal, e indicada nos casos de insuficiência respiratória aguda, associada à síndrome do extravasamento do gás alveolar. Resultados: Após ser submetido à oclusäo seletiva do brônquio fonte esquerdo e à ventilaçäo de alta freqüência, a evoluçäo do paciente foi favorável, com recuperaçäo respiratória e hemodinâmica. Conclusäo: A oclusäo do brônquio fonte esquerdo permitiu a ventilaçäo seletiva do pulmäo contralateral, e a ventilaçäo de alta freqüência proporcionou a manutençäo de oxigenaçäo e ventilaçäo adequada, diminuindo o risco de lesäo pulmonar, proporcionando a recuperaçäo do enfisema.