Porcelain lung: calcification in severe Bordetella pertussis infection

An unimmunised 5-week-old, term male infant presented to the intensive care unit with cardiorespiratory failure and peripheral lymphocytosis. The infant deteriorated despite intubation, ventilation, vasoactive drug infusions and exchange transfusion. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was started. Infection with Bordetella pertussis was subsequently confirmed. The lungs remained radiologically opacified and tidal volumes were poor despite lung recruitment manoeuvres, resulting in a prolonged …