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Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Pathological study of bronchospasms/tracheomalasia in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities
Eiko Ohtsuka1, Masaharu Hayashi, Kimiko Hamano
1Department of Pediatrics, Metropolitan Fuchu Medical Center for Severe Motor and Intellectual Disabilities, 2-9-2, Musashidai, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-0042, Japan. eitsuru@yahoo.co.jp
Abstract:
This report concerns two autopsy cases of severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) who died of bronchospasms or tracheomalasia. One case had no anatomical change in the tracheal wall except for an endotracheal granuloma, while the other showed softening of the tracheal wall. Since patients with SMID have risk factors for bronchospasms and tracheomalasia, such as gastro-esophageal reflux, aspiration, and thoracic deformities, it is important that we suspect the possibility of these conditions, when we see the respiratory distress in cases of SMID.
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