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Revue Des Maladies Respiratoires Jan 2023Up to 30% of lung cancer patients suffer from central airway obstruction, resulting in major deterioration in prognosis and quality of life. Interventional bronchoscopy... (Review)
Review
Up to 30% of lung cancer patients suffer from central airway obstruction, resulting in major deterioration in prognosis and quality of life. Interventional bronchoscopy combines a number of invasive techniques used during rigid bronchoscopy. It is designed to rapidly improve symptoms, primarily dyspnea. Applied according to very precise indications, this technique requires careful patient selection and needs to be incorporated into the multimodal oncological management in combination with systemic treatments, radiation therapy and surgery.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Airway Obstruction; Lung Neoplasms; Bronchoscopy; Prognosis; Stents
PubMed: 36577607
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2022.11.084 -
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine : a... Oct 2021Post-extubation upper airway obstruction is the most common cause of extubation failure in children, but there are few data regarding long-term morbidity. We aim to...
OBJECTIVES
Post-extubation upper airway obstruction is the most common cause of extubation failure in children, but there are few data regarding long-term morbidity. We aim to describe the frequency of long-term airway sequelae in intubated children and determine the association with post-extubation upper airway obstruction.
DESIGN
Retrospective, post hoc analysis of previously identified prospective cohort of children in the pediatric/cardiothoracic ICU at Children's Hospital Los Angeles from July 2012 to April 2015. A single provider blinded to the upper airway obstruction classification reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients in the parent study, before and after the index extubation (extubation during parent study), to identify pre-index and post-index upper airway disease. Primary outcomes were prevalence of newly diagnosed airway anomalies following index extubation.
SETTING
Single center, tertiary, 391-bed children's hospital.
PATIENTS
From the parent study, 327 children younger than 18 years (intubated for at least 12 hr) were included if they received subsequent care (regardless of specialty) after the index extubation.
INTERVENTIONS
None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
New airway anomalies were identified in 40 of 327 children (12.2%). Patients labeled with subglottic upper airway obstruction at the index extubation were more likely to be diagnosed with new airway anomalies on subsequent follow-up, receive long-term Otolaryngology follow-up, or receive airway surgery (all p ≤ 0.006). In multivariable modeling, upper airway obstruction as the primary reason for initial intubation (odds ratio, 3.71; CI, 1.50-9.19), reintubation during the index ICU admission (odds ratio, 4.44; CI, 1.67-11.80), pre-index airway anomaly (odds ratio, 3.31; CI, 1.36-8.01), and post-extubation subglottic upper airway obstruction (odds ratio, 3.50; CI, 1.46-8.34) remained independently associated with the diagnosis of new airway anomalies.
CONCLUSIONS
Post-extubation subglottic upper airway obstruction is associated with a three-fold greater odds of long-term airway morbidity. These patients may represent an at-risk population that should be monitored closely after leaving the ICU.
Topics: Airway Extubation; Airway Obstruction; Child; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 33833205
DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002724 -
Anesthesiology Jun 2021
Comparative Study Review
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Fiber Optic Technology; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Tracheostomy; Wakefulness
PubMed: 33684214
DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000003744 -
Archives of Disease in Childhood.... Apr 2021Exertional dyspnoea among children and adolescents is a common presenting complaint to general practitioners. Exertional dyspnoea is most commonly attributed to... (Review)
Review
Exertional dyspnoea among children and adolescents is a common presenting complaint to general practitioners. Exertional dyspnoea is most commonly attributed to exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), but there are several other causes including hyperventilation syndrome, breathlessness associated with normal exercise limitation and exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO). The symptoms of EILO include stridor, throat tightness and difficulty on inspiration. If these are mistaken for EIB, children will receive asthma therapy. The underlying mechanism of EILO includes closure of the larynx during high-intensity exercise, which causes a reduction in airflow and breathlessness. This phenomenon is often associated with a background of psychological stress. Historically, a diagnosis of EILO has been considered 'rare' though this may be a reflection of under-recognition. Direct visual observation via laryngoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis of EILO; however, this is rarely available even in specialised centres. Nevertheless, the diagnosis can usually be made by recognising the characteristic clinical pattern. Here we provide recommendations for appropriate investigations for the determination of EILO, together with suggested treatment.
Topics: Adolescent; Airway Obstruction; Asthma, Exercise-Induced; Child; Dyspnea; Humans; Laryngeal Diseases; Laryngoscopy
PubMed: 33077532
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-319454 -
Respiratory Medicine Oct 2021Increasing evidence shows that environmental factors in childhood play a role in development of irreversible airway obstruction. We evaluated early-life and...
BACKGROUND
Increasing evidence shows that environmental factors in childhood play a role in development of irreversible airway obstruction. We evaluated early-life and preschool-age risk factors for irreversible airway obstruction in adolescence after bronchiolitis in infancy.
METHODS
This study is a secondary analysis of data collected during prospective long-term follow-up of our post-bronchiolitis cohort. Risk factor data were collected during hospitalisation and on follow-up visits at 5-7 and 10-13 years of ages. Lung function was measured from 103 participants with impulse oscillometry at 5-7 years of age and from 89 participants with flow-volume spirometry at 10-13 years of age.
RESULTS
Asthma diagnosis at <12 months of age showed a significant association with irreversible airway obstruction at 10-13 years of age independently from current asthma. Irreversible airway obstruction was less frequent in children with variant than wild genotype of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) rs4986790, but the significance was lost in logistic regression adjusted for current asthma and weight status. Higher post-bronchodilator respiratory system resistance at 5 Hz and lower baseline and post-bronchodilator reactance at 5 Hz by impulse oscillometry at 5-7 years of age were associated with irreversible airway obstruction at 10-13 years of age.
CONCLUSION
Asthma diagnosis during the first living year and worse lung function at preschool age increased the risk for irreversible airway obstruction at 10-13 years of age after bronchiolitis. TLR4 rs4986790 polymorphism may be protective for development of irreversible airway obstruction after bronchiolitis.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Airway Obstruction; Airway Resistance; Asthma; Bronchiolitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Genotype; Humans; Male; Oscillometry; Polymorphism, Genetic; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Spirometry; Time Factors; Toll-Like Receptor 4
PubMed: 34332337
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106545 -
Current Opinion in Otolaryngology &... Apr 2017Improvements in the antenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations have led to increased detection of fetal airway obstructing lesions, and pediatric ear, nose, and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Improvements in the antenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations have led to increased detection of fetal airway obstructing lesions, and pediatric ear, nose, and throat surgeons are increasingly involved in these cases.
RECENT FINDINGS
This article outlines the typical range of pathology seen, the logistics in providing support for anticipated deliveries and the multidisciplinary management of complex airway cases.
SUMMARY
Traditionally, difficulty in obtaining a patent airway at delivery was a major factor in the dismal prognosis of these pregnancies. The ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure, which involves controlled partial delivery of the fetus whilst maintaining placental circulation, allows various airway maneuvers to be performed to secure the airway in a controlled fashion.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Fetal Diseases; Humans; Obstetric Surgical Procedures; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Prognosis
PubMed: 28267705
DOI: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000343 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Mar 2023The goal of this study was to explore the availability of diagnostic and treatment options for managing upper airway obstruction (UAO) in infants with Robin Sequence...
The goal of this study was to explore the availability of diagnostic and treatment options for managing upper airway obstruction (UAO) in infants with Robin Sequence (RS) in Europe. Countries were divided in lower- (LHECs, i.e., PPP per capita < $4000) and higher-health expenditure countries (HHECs, i.e., PPP per capita ≥ $4000). An online survey was sent to European healthcare professionals who treat RS. The survey was designed to determine the availability of diagnostic tools such as arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), pulse oximetry, CO2 analysis, polysomnography (PSG), and sleep questionnaires, as well as to identify the used treatment options in a specific center. Responses were received from professionals of 85 centers, originating from 31 different countries. It was equally challenging to provide care for infants with RS in both LHECs and HHECs (3.67/10 versus 2.65/10, p = 0.45). Furthermore, in the LHECs, there was less access to ABG (85% versus 98%, p = 0.03), CO2 analysis (45% versus 70%, p = 0.03), and PSG (54% versus 93%, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the accessibility concerning pulse oximetry, sleep questionnaires, home saturation monitoring, nasopharyngeal tubes, Tuebingen plates, and mandibular distraction. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a large difference in available care for infants with RS throughout Europe. LHECs have less access to diagnostic tools in RS when compared to HHECs. There is, however, no difference in the availability of treatment modalities between LHECs and HHECs. What is Known: • Patients with Robin sequence (RS) require complex and multidisciplinary care. They can present with moderate to severe upper airway obstruction (UAO). There exists a large variety in the use of diagnostics for both UAO treatment indications and evaluations. In most cases, conservative management of UAO in RS is sufficient. Patients with UAO that persist despite conservative management ultimately need surgical intervention. To determine which intervention is best suitable for the individual RS patient, the level of UAO needs to be determined through diagnostic testing. • There is a substantial variation among institutions across Europe for both diagnostics and treatment options in UAO. A standardized, internationally accepted protocol for the assessment and management of UAO in RS could guide healthcare professionals in the timing of assessment and indications to prevent escalation of UAO. Creating such a protocol might be a challenge, as there are large financial differences between countries in Europe (e.g., health expenditure per capita in purchasing power parity in international dollars ranges from $600 to over $8500). What is New: • There is a substantial variation in the availability of objective diagnostic tools between European countries. Arterial blood gas analysis, CO2 analysis and polysomnography are not equally accessible for lower-healthcare expenditure countries (LHECs) compared to higher-healthcare expenditure countries (HHECs). These differences are not only limited to availability; there is also a difference in quality of these diagnostic tools. Surprisingly, there is no difference in access to treatment tools between LHECs and HHECs. • There is national heterogeneity in access to tools for diagnosis and treatment of RS, which suggests centralization of health care, showing that specialized care is only available in tertiary centers. By centralization of care for RS infants, diagnostics and treatment can be optimized in the best possible way to create a uniform European protocol and ultimately equal care across Europe. Learning what is necessary for adequate monitoring could lead to better allocation of resources, which is especially important in a low-resource setting.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Airway Obstruction; Pierre Robin Syndrome; Carbon Dioxide; Europe; Mandible; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36633656
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-022-04781-5 -
Respiratory Care Sep 2016Obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) is an uncommon complication that results after tracheal intubation. Herein, we perform a systematic review of the... (Review)
Review
Obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) is an uncommon complication that results after tracheal intubation. Herein, we perform a systematic review of the PubMed and EmBase databases for all the cases describing OFTP. The systematic search yielded 28 citations describing 53 subjects with OFTP. The study population (61.1% females) comprised of both adults and pediatric subjects with a median (IQR) age of 40.5 (14.8-60.5) years. The median (IQR) size of endotracheal tube was 7.5 (6-9.3) mm with a median (IQR) duration of intubation of 36 (14-96) hours. The median (IQR) time to onset of symptoms after extubation was 24 (6-96) hours. Stridor was the most common symptom. The average delay in correctly identifying the OFTP was 26 hours. The diagnosis of tracheal pseudomembrane was confirmed by flexible bronchoscopy in 38 (70.4%) instances while rigid bronchoscopy was used in 46.3% subjects for removing the pseudomembrane. There were two deaths, one each in an adult and a pediatric subject. OFTP is a complication of tracheal intubation and presents with respiratory failure. The diagnosis can be confirmed by flexible bronchoscopy. Treatment involves removal of the obstructing membrane with either flexible or rigid bronchoscopy.
Topics: Airway Extubation; Airway Obstruction; Bronchoscopy; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Respiratory Sounds; Tracheal Diseases
PubMed: 27247431
DOI: 10.4187/respcare.04662 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2020Obstructive ventilatory disturbances occur in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a typical disease representative of peripheral airway obstruction, and...
BACKGROUND
Obstructive ventilatory disturbances occur in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a typical disease representative of peripheral airway obstruction, and central airway obstruction (CAO). Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), which depend on patient effort, are traditionally used to evaluate lung function. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is an effort-independent method for examining lung function during tidal breathing. The FOT is used universally to assess respiratory function in patients with COPD. Several studies have measured FOT to assess ventilatory disturbances in CAO. The results showed that FOT measurements in patients with CAO were similar to those reported in patients with COPD. However, no studies have compared FOT measurements directly between CAO and COPD. The aim of this study was to identify differences in ventilatory disturbances between peripheral and central airway obstructions in COPD and CAO, before patients received pharmacological therapy or bronchoscopic interventions, respectively.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospectively included 16 patients with CAO (10 cases of tracheal obstruction and 6 cases of bronchial obstruction) and 75 treatment-naïve patients with COPD (60 cases in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] stage II and 15 cases in GOLD stage III) that were admitted from December 2013 to May 2017. Prior to treatment, patients were examined with the FOT and PFTs.
RESULTS
All parameters measured with the FOT in the inspiratory phase were significantly worse in patients with CAO than in patients with COPD. The PFTs showed that the CAO group had a significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate. In the airway wall thickening phenotype of COPD, a difference between the inspiratory and expiratory phases of the resonance frequency (ΔFres) was the best indicator for distinguishing between peripheral and central airway obstructions.
CONCLUSION
This study compared differences between CAO and COPD (mainly GOLD stage II). We found that the FOT measurement, ΔFres, was the optimal indicator of the difference between the airway wall thickening COPD phenotype and CAO. Thus, the difference might be due to mechanical changes that occur in COPD with airway wall thickening.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Airway Resistance; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Oscillometry; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 32606651
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S246126 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Feb 2022Central airway obstruction (CAO) represents a pathological condition that can lead to airflow limitation of the trachea, main stem bronchi, bronchus intermedius or lobar...
INTRODUCTION
Central airway obstruction (CAO) represents a pathological condition that can lead to airflow limitation of the trachea, main stem bronchi, bronchus intermedius or lobar bronchus.
MAIN BODY
It is a common clinical situation consensually considered under-diagnosed. Management of patients with CAO can be difficult and deciding on the best treatment approach represents a medical challenge. This work intends to review CAO classifications, causes, treatments and its therapeutic limitations, approaching benign and malign presentations. Three illustrative cases are further presented, supporting the clinical problem under review.
CONCLUSION
Management of CAO still remains a challenge. The available options are not always effective nor free from complications. A new generation of costume-tailored airway stents, associated with stem cell-based therapy, could be an option in specific clinical situations.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Bronchi; Humans; Trachea
PubMed: 35183132
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-022-01862-x