Use of tracheobronchography as a diagnostic tool in ventilator-dependent infants.
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of investigations of the airway in ventilator-dependent infants.


METHODS
Consecutive infants with suspected upper airway abnormalities were investigated using rigid bronchoscopy and tracheobronchography.


METHODS
Tertiary pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.


METHODS
Eight infants with suspected airway abnormalities.


METHODS
Rigid bronchoscopy and tracheobronchography.


RESULTS
Structural abnormalities, segmental narrowing of the airways and the effect of various levels of positive-end expiratory pressures on the narrowings were documented. In six of the eight cases, additional airway abnormalities were diagnosed with tracheobronchography compared with rigid bronchoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
In cases of suspected abnormalities of the upper airway in small infants unable to be weaned from ventilatory support, tracheobronchography may be a more reliable investigation method than rigid bronchoscopy. The ability to assess the structural and dynamic components of the airway accurately and safely allows a correct and long-term treatment plan to be established in this group of patients.
MacIntyre
P
P
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Peacock
C
C
Gordon
I
I
Mok
Q
Q
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001995:Bronchography; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003422:Critical Care; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015300:Ventilator Weaning