ABSTRACT
Pneumatocoeles typically are post-infectious or post-traumatic, discrete, thin-walled, gas-containing collections within the lung parenchyma. They also may result from positive pressure ventilation–related barotrauma and ingestion of caustic material (e.g. hydrocarbons). Post-infectious pneumatocoeles most frequently complicate staphylococcal pneumonia and occur in infants. They typically appear within 1 week of onset of infection and most spontaneously disappear within weeks to months after the infection has resolved. Rarely, persistent pneumatocoeles may require percutaneous catheter drainage or surgical management. Post-traumatic pneumatocoeles result from blunt trauma. Such pneumatocoeles are typically observed within hours of the trauma and spontaneously resolve within 3 weeks. They generally spare the lung apices.
