Congenital lobar emphysema in monozygotic twins

Zeni Scott; Cynthia Zhou; Elisabeth Tracy; Mai K ElMallah; Shatha Yousef

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101842

Congenital lobar emphysema in monozygotic twins

Respir Med Case Rep. 2023 Mar 22:43:101842. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101842. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Zeni Scott¹, Cynthia Zhou¹, Elisabeth Tracy², Mai K ElMallah¹, Shatha Yousef¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
² Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.

Abstract

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is caused by airway defects resulting in air trapping and hyperinflation of the affected lobe. Case reports of families affected with CLE imply a genetic etiology. However, the genetic contributions have not been well-described. We present a case of CLE in a monozygotic twin brother with respiratory distress diagnosed with right upper lobe (RUL) CLE and treated with a lobectomy. His asymptomatic twin brother was screened prophylactically, found to have RUL CLE and subsequently underwent a lobectomy. Our report provides further evidence supporting the genetic predisposition and potential benefit of early screening for CLE in comparable scenarios.

Keywords: Congenital lobar emphysema; Genetic disorders; Hyperinflation; Lobectomy; Respiratory distress.

Publication types

Case Reports