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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Inflammatory endobronchial polyps in childhood: clinical spectrum and possible link to mechanical ventilation

D McShane1, A G Nicholson, P Goldstraw

  • 1Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, London, UK. donna.mcshane@ic.ac.uk

Pediatric Pulmonology
|July 12, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric airway inflammatory polyps are rare but linked to neonatal mechanical ventilation. Polypectomy is an effective treatment, often resolving symptoms like lobar collapse.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Pathology

Background:

  • Inflammatory polyps are distinct nonneoplastic endobronchial lesions in adults, typically linked to chronic inflammation.
  • Their occurrence in children is rare, with unclear causes.

Observation:

  • Retrospective review of four pediatric cases from Royal Brompton Hospital.
  • Three of four patients had a history of neonatal mechanical ventilation, with polyps in the right proximal airways.
  • Presentations included lobar collapse (3 patients) and hyperinflation (1 patient).

Findings:

  • Inflammatory endobronchial polyps in children may be associated with prior mechanical ventilation, suggesting airway trauma as a cause.
  • Neonatal airway size might also contribute to polyp development and presentation.

Implications:

  • Highlights a potential link between neonatal mechanical ventilation and endobronchial polyp formation.
  • Suggests polypectomy as a successful treatment modality for pediatric inflammatory polyps.
  • Informs understanding of rare pediatric airway lesions and their etiology.

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