Unilateral atelectasis in a preterm infant monitored with electrical impedance tomography: a case report

Eur J Pediatr. 2014 Dec;173(12):1715-7. doi: 10.1007/s00431-014-2399-y. Epub 2014 Aug 23.

Abstract

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive, radiation-free tool to monitor regional changes in ventilation. This report describes, for the first time, that unilateral atelectasis in an extremely low birth weight infant results in a loss of regional ventilation measured by EIT in the affected lung.

Conclusion: EIT is currently the most promising technique to monitor regional lung aeration continuously at the bedside in this vulnerable population.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Electric Impedance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / physiopathology
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods*
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / physiopathology*
  • Pulmonary Ventilation / physiology
  • Tomography / methods*