Pneumatocele after hydrocarbon aspiration

Report of accidental ingestion and aspiration of lampoil of a boy aged 16 months. He develops in a few hours a severe pneumonitis with tachycardia. Echocardiography shows diminished contractability. After loosing his symptoms, the chest x-rays on the 13th. day show bilateral pneumatoceles. The course remains asymptomatic and radiographs taken 15,5 weeks after the accident show replacement by scars. Usually the prognosis is good. Indication for invasive treatment is given when cardiorespiratory insufficiency or a rupture into the pleura space are seen.