Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 6, 2025
Author Spotlight: Learning Systematic Bronchoscopy in a Simulation-Base Setting
Published on: June 23, 2023
Pediatric flexible bronchoscopy: A single-center report
Valentina Agnese Ferraro1, Eugenio Baraldi1, Diana Stabinger1
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
Insights
Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in children is crucial for diagnosing respiratory issues like recurrent infections and chronic cough. This safe procedure identifies airway abnormalities and associated infections, guiding effective patient management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Diagnostic Procedures
Background:
- Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is a key diagnostic and therapeutic tool in pediatric respiratory medicine.
- Tertiary pediatric respiratory centers rely on FB for managing complex cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the indications, findings, and adverse events of pediatric flexible bronchoscopies.
- To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of FB in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of electronic medical records for pediatric patients undergoing FB between 2013 and 2018.
- Analysis of clinical data, indications, anatomical findings, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) results, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- 447 FBs were performed in 428 pediatric patients, primarily for diagnostics (92.4%).
- Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and chronic wet cough were primary indications.
- Lower airway malacia was a common finding, with significant bacterial isolation rates in BAL for LRTI and chronic wet cough patients.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric FB is an essential diagnostic tool in tertiary centers.
- FB effectively identifies anatomical and microbiological causes of chronic respiratory conditions.
- The procedure has a significant impact on patient management and is safe and well-tolerated.
Introduction:
Pediatric flexible laryngotracheal bronchoscopy (FB) is an integral part of diagnostics and treatment at tertiary pediatric respiratory centers.
Aim:
FBs performed between 2013 and 2018 at our Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Unit of the Department of Women's and Children's Health at Padua University were examined in terms of the indications, findings, and adverse events.
Materials And Methods:
The electronic medical records of pediatric patients who underwent FB at least once between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018 were considered. Patients' clinical data, indications for FB, anatomical findings, information derived from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial brushing, and possible adverse events were analyzed.
Results:
There were 447 pediatric FBs performed in 428 patients (aged from 1 month to 18 years) for diagnostic purposes (92.4%), to clear secretions (3.6%), or to monitor a known condition (4.0%). The main indications were recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI, 32.2%) and chronic wet cough (9.4%). Lower airway malacia was the most common abnormal finding in these two groups (36.1% and 28.6%, respectively). BAL bacterial culture was positive in 55 children (39.6%) with recurrent LRTI and in 25 (59.5%) with chronic wet cough, being Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis the microorganisms most commonly isolated. FB proved a safe procedure and was well tolerated.
Conclusions:
Pediatric FB is an essential tool at our tertiary pediatric respiratory center. It helps establish the anatomical conditions underlying several chronic respiratory conditions and any correlated microbiological findings, with a significant impact on further patient management.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due...
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...