Longitudinal follow-up of bronchial inflammation, respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function in adolescents after repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize symptoms, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and bronchial responsiveness (BR) in adolescents after repaired esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and correlate these with endobronchial biopsy findings.


METHODS
After a primary operation, 31 patients underwent endoscopies and bronchoscopies at the age of <3, 3 to 7, and >7 years. A questionnaire on respiratory and esophageal symptoms was sent to patients at a mean age of 13.7 years (range, 9.7-19.4). The questionnaire was completed by 27 of 31 patients (87%), and 25 of the 31 patients (81%) underwent clinical examination and pulmonary functioning tests. Endobronchial biopsies were analyzed for reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness and inflammatory cells.


RESULTS
The prevalence of current respiratory and esophageal symptoms was 41% and 44%, respectively. "Doctor-diagnosed asthma" was present in 22% of patients. A restrictive and obstructive spirometric defect was observed in 32% and 30% of patients, respectively. Increased bronchial responsiveness, detected in 24% of patients, was weakly associated with current respiratory symptoms and low forced vital capacity. Mean exhaled nitric oxide was within predicted range. RBM thickness increased slightly with age, whereas inflammatory cell counts varied from normal to moderate, with intraindividual variation.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammation of the airways in adolescents with a history of tracheoesophageal fistula, even in the presence of atopy, does not lead, in most cases, to the type of chronic inflammation and RBM changes seen in asthma.
From the Department of Allergy, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Kristiina
K
Malmström
Jouko
J
Lohi
Harry
H
Lindahl
Anna
A
Pelkonen
Merja
M
Kajosaari
Seppo
S
Sarna
L Pekka
LP
Malmberg
Mika J
MJ
Mäkelä
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001706:Biopsy; D001944:Breath Tests; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002648:Child; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009569:Nitric Oxide