Plastic bronchitis requiring bronchoscopy.
OBJECTIVE
We report two cases of plastic bronchitis presenting with acute respiratory failure and mimicking foreign body inhalation.


METHODS
The clinical findings, differential diagnoses and radiological investigation are discussed.


RESULTS
Plastic bronchitis is an uncommon condition, particularly in children. The condition may present to otolaryngologists with symptoms mimicking foreign body inhalation. It is important to consider plastic bronchitis as a differential diagnosis, based on its clinical and radiological signs. Early intervention, in the form of bronchoscopy, can be both diagnostic and therapeutic.


CONCLUSIONS
Plastic bronchitis is uncommon and its clinical and radiological features are non-specific. The recommended management is early bronchoscopy to establish the diagnosis and enable therapeutic intervention.
Hoskison
E
E
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK. emmahoskison@hotmail.com
Judd
O
O
Dickinson
E
E
Dux
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods