Keyboard shortcuts (Alt+K)
Demographics:
0 days old, Male
Indication:
Respiratory distress (term delivery)
Findings
- Mild diffuse bilateral groundglass opacities
- Normal lung volumes
- Apparent rightward positioning of the cardiopericardial silhouette is likely an artifact of patient rotation
- Nonobstructed bowel gas pattern
Diagnosis
Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)
Sample Report
Mild diffuse bilateral groundglass opacities likely relating to transient tachypnea of the newborn. Meconium aspiration is an alternate consideration, though this is considered less likely.
No acute findings in the abdomen.
Discussion
- When evaluating chest radiographs in newborns with respiratory distress, try following the decision tree in the annotated image below
- Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is more common in infants of diabetic mothers and after C-section and usually rapidly clears in the first day or two of life (unlike pneumonia)
- The radiographic appearance is similar to congestive heart failure (minus the enlarged heart) with diffuse interstitial and alveolar opacities, pleural effusions, and thickening of the fissures (due to fluid tracking along the fissures)
Annotated Images & Illustrations
Algorithmic approach to chest radiographs in neonates with respiratory distress.