Related Experiment Videos
Braided bronchus: a previously undescribed airway anomaly
D S Wheeler1, W B Poss, M Cocalis
1Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Investigation, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California 92134-5000, USA.
Pediatric Pulmonology
|June 23, 1998
Summary
Infants with congenital heart disease can have airway anomalies like the "braided bronchus," leading to recurrent atelectasis. This distinct anomaly was observed alongside a bridging bronchus in a child with coarctation of the aorta.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Recurrent atelectasis in infants often stems from congenital heart disease and abnormal bronchial branching.
- Bridging bronchus is a known anomaly linked to left-sided obstructive lesions and left pulmonary artery sling.
Observation:
- A unique airway anomaly, termed the "braided bronchus," was identified.
- This anomaly was associated with a bridging bronchus in a pediatric patient.
- The patient presented with coarctation of the aorta and recurrent atelectasis.
Findings:
- The
- braided bronchus
- represents a distinct airway malformation.
- It co-occurred with a bridging bronchus in the described case.
- Diagnostic methods for delineating this anomaly were employed.
Implications:
- This finding expands the spectrum of airway anomalies associated with congenital heart disease.
- Recognition of the
- braided bronchus
- may improve diagnosis and management of recurrent atelectasis in affected infants.
- Further research is warranted to understand the prevalence and clinical significance of this anomaly.