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Plastic bronchitis: large, branching, mucoid bronchial casts in children
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|February 1, 1985
Summary
Plastic bronchitis, the expectoration of bronchial casts, is rare in children. While often linked to asthma or allergies, treatment of underlying causes typically resolves cast formation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Plastic bronchitis is an uncommon condition characterized by the expectoration of large, branching bronchial casts.
- Etiologies often include asthma or allergies, but idiopathic cases exist.
Observation:
- Five pediatric patients presented with large, obstructing bronchial casts.
- Casts were either expectorated or removed via bronchoscopy.
- Associated conditions included asthma, allergies, congenital tricuspid atresia, and effusions.
Findings:
- Radiographic findings during cast formation included atelectasis, obstructive emphysema, bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, and pneumomediastinum.
- In two cases, expectorated casts were initially misidentified as aspirated food.
- Cast formation can be self-limited.
Implications:
- Treatment of the underlying causative disorder is crucial for ceasing cast formation.
- Bronchoscopic extraction of bronchial casts may offer therapeutic benefits for some patients.
- Understanding the varied presentations and radiographic signs is vital for diagnosis.