title: Clinical analysis of bronchoscopic cryotherapy in 156 pediatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of bronchoscopic cryotherapy for pediatric poor ventilation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 156 pediatric patients with airway stenosis and obstruction as well as pulmonary atelectasis received bronchoscopic cryotherapy. Treatment efficacy was evaluated on bronchoscopy Before cryotherapy and after the last cryotherapy treatment. Pulmonary atelectasis was assessed according to range of atelectasis on chest computed tomography (CT), and tracheobronchial stenosis according to pulmonary function, tidal volume analysis and dyspnea index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 154 patients with effective treatment had patent airway, smooth mucosa and resolved atelectasis. In the two patients with ineffective treatment, however, the airway was not smooth and the range of pulmonary atelectasis was reduced by <30%. Among the 156 patients, 136 had markedly effective treatment, with CT pulmonary atelectasis recovery >70%. The width of the main airway significantly increased approximately 50% and the tidal volume or capacity increased 100%. Effective treatment was identified in 18 patients (18/156), with CT pulmonary atelectasis area reduced 30-70%. Ineffective treatment was noted in two patients, with CT pulmonary atelectasis area reduced by <30%. No complications were noted in any patients during or after operation. No recurrence was noted on follow up of 2-24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bronchoscopic cryotherapy is effective and safe for dyspnea caused by airway obstruction, and wide application in clinic is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Province, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Caiyun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Interventional Radiology, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Huafeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Interventional Radiology, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Xiaorong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Interventional Radiology, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Interventional Radiology, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Yanqin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: airway obstruction; atelectasis; bronchoscope; cryotherapy; pediatric patient