Nonsurgical intervention in the resolution of acquired neonatal bronchial stenosis

A stricture of the right main bronchus developed in an 1100 gm premature (first delivered twin female) infant being mechanically ventilated for approximately 1 month. The stricture resolved with treatment consisting of three consecutive daily obturations with angiocatheters avoiding the use of a balloon inflation technique provoking a local dilation. The catheters were placed with a guide wire under fluoroscopic control. The clinical protocol advanced for the dilation of acquired bronchial stenosis was well tolerated by the patient. A 9-month clinical radiologic review confirmed normal pulmonary structures and functions. Catheter dilation is described as a new technique for treatment of bronchial stenosis in the very small infant.