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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
02:34

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: May 10, 2024

[Wheezing and cough related to congenital airway abnormalities in young infants]

M van Veen1, W A F Balemans, J A Schipper

  • 1St Antonius Ziekenhuis, afd Kindergeneeskunde, Nieuwegein. m.vanveen@erasmusmc.nl

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|October 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Infantile wheezing unresponsive to bronchodilators may signal rare airway malformations. Early diagnosis of bronchomalacia and tracheomalacia is crucial for infants with persistent respiratory symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Congenital Disorders

Background:

  • Broncho- and tracheomalacia are rare congenital airway disorders.
  • These conditions can present with persistent wheezing and coughing in infants.
  • Symptoms often mimic viral infections but are unresponsive to standard treatments.

Observation:

  • Two infants presented with severe, persistent wheezing and respiratory distress shortly after birth.
  • Diagnostic workup included chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, and CT angiogram.
  • Findings revealed isolated left main stem bronchus malacia in one infant and tracheomalacia due to aortic arch compression in the other.

Findings:

  • Bronchomalacia: Isolated malacia of the left main stem bronchus.
  • Tracheomalacia: Caused by extrinsic compression from a right descending aortic arch.
  • Both cases presented with severe respiratory distress unresponsive to bronchodilators.

Implications:

  • Airway malformations like bronchomalacia and tracheomalacia should be considered in infants with unexplained, persistent respiratory symptoms.
  • Prompt diagnosis through bronchoscopy and imaging is vital for appropriate management.
  • Early identification can prevent severe respiratory distress and improve infant outcomes.

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