[Intricated asthma tracheomalacia: diagnosis and therapeutic aspects]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Pulmonology
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Difficult-to-treat asthma in children presents significant clinical challenges.
• Co-existing conditions like tracheomalacia can complicate asthma management.
• Standard treatments may be insufficient for complex pediatric respiratory cases.

Observation:

• A young girl experienced recurrent severe respiratory distress, consolidations, and atelectasis requiring intensive care.
• Despite multiple hospitalizations and conventional asthma therapies, her condition persisted.
• Differential diagnosis revealed severe tracheomalacia alongside persistent asthma.

Findings:

• Positive pressure ventilation via a mouthpiece, coupled with active respiratory physiotherapy, proved effective.
• This non-invasive approach successfully cleared atelectasis and resolved acute respiratory episodes.
• The treatment strategy eliminated the need for further hospitalizations.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering tracheomalacia in refractory pediatric asthma.
• Suggests positive pressure ventilation and physiotherapy as a viable therapeutic option for complex cases.
• Emphasizes an open-minded approach to unconventional treatments in pediatric respiratory medicine.