Flexible bronchoscopy and interdisciplinary collaboration in pediatric large airway disease.
OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate the benefits of a multidisciplinary pediatric airway team prepared to evaluate and treat otolaryngology patients with flexible bronchoscopy.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Tertiary, academic children's hospital.


METHODS
10 children (5 male, 5 female age range 2 months-16 years) presenting with complex symptoms potentially referable to large airways.


METHODS
Flexible bronchoscopy for diagnostic (bronchoalveolar lavage, ciliary biopsy, assess ongoing surgical intervention, and rule in or rule out foreign body; N=6) or therapeutic (evacuate bronchial mucus plug, laser subglottis when patient has fused cervical spine, and distal instillation [fibrin glue for bronchopleural fistula and dornase alpha for plastic bronchitis]; N=4).


METHODS
Retrospectively ask if flexible bronchoscopy and interdisciplinary management improved patient care in these select otolaryngology cases.


RESULTS
10/10 patients benefited from interdisciplinary management including flexible bronchoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience illustrates many uses for flexible bronchoscopy in otolaryngology patients, and suggests that an airway team prepared to use flexible bronchoscopy will create opportunities for improved patient care.
Shah
Maulik B
MB
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States. maulikshahmd@gmail.com
Bent
John P
JP
Vicencio
Alfin G
AG
Veler
Haviva
H
Arens
Ranaan
R
Parikh
Sanjay R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000628:therapy; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004106:Dilatation; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005100:Expectorants; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; C085693:DNASE1 protein, human; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I