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Diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of bronchoscopy
S Joshi1, S Malik, P W Kandoth
1Department of Pediatrics, T.N. Medical College B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Bombay.
Insights
Bronchoscopy effectively diagnoses and treats pediatric airway issues, with foreign body removal and tracheobronchial pathology being key uses. This procedure yielded significant results in 83% of children, guiding management and confirming diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Interventional Pulmonology
- Pediatric Bronchoscopy
Background:
- Foreign body aspiration and tracheobronchial pathology are significant concerns in pediatric respiratory health.
- Bronchoscopy is a crucial diagnostic and therapeutic tool in evaluating pediatric airway conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of bronchoscopy in a pediatric cohort.
- To identify common indications, findings, and outcomes of pediatric bronchoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 85 pediatric patients undergoing bronchoscopy.
- Data collection on indications, foreign body characteristics, pathological findings, and complications.
- Bronchography utilized in a subset of patients for diagnostic confirmation.
Main Results:
- Foreign body removal was a primary indication, particularly in younger children, with groundnuts being the most common object and the right bronchus the frequent site.
- Other significant findings included tracheobronchitis (27%), bronchiectasis (13%), and endobronchial tuberculosis (9.4%).
- Bronchoscopy yielded definitive results in 83% of cases, with minor complications in 8% and bronchography confirming diagnoses in 75%.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric bronchoscopy is a safe and effective procedure for both diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial pathology and foreign body removal.
- The study highlights the importance of bronchoscopy in guiding further management, even in cases with initially normal findings.
- Findings underscore the prevalence of groundnut foreign bodies and the utility of bronchoscopy in diverse pediatric airway conditions.
Abstract:
The diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of bronchoscopy was determined in 85 children. The major indications were foreign body removal in younger patients and evaluation of tracheobronchial pathology in older children. Foreign body was commonly isolated in the toddlers and even in the elder age group (19%) as well as in those with suspected ingestion (44%). Groundnut was the predominant foreign body and right bronchus was the most frequent site. Tracheobronchitis (27%), bronchiectasis (13%) endobronchial tuberculosis (9.4%) and mucus plug (3%) were the other frequent findings. Bronchography was performed in 16 patients and it confirmed the diagnosis in 75% of the cases. Minor complications were encountered in 8% of patients. In the present study bronchoscopy yielded definite results in 83% and in many, including those with normal findings it guided further management.