Tracheobronchial intervention in children

Bronchoscopy findings in children with congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities

Congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities are rare, but they are an important differential diagnosis in children with respiratory diseases, especially if the disease is recurrent or does not resolve. The factors determining the time of presentation of congenital airway pathologies include the severity of narrowing, association with other lesions and the presence or absence of congenital heart disease (CHD). Bronchoscopy is required in these cases to assess the airway early after birth or when intubation and ventilation are difficult or not possible. Many of these conditions have associated abnormalities that must be diagnosed early, as this determines surgical interventions. It may be necessary to combine imaging and bronchoscopy findings in these children to determine the correct diagnosis as well as in operative management. Endoscopic interventional procedures may be needed in many of these conditions, ranging from intubation to balloon dilatations and aortopexy. This review will describe the bronchoscopic findings in children with congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities, illustrate how bronchoscopy can be used for diagnosis and highlight the role of interventional bronchoscopy in the management of these conditions.

Interventional bronchoscopy in pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION

Lymphobronchial tuberculosis (TB) is common in children with primary TB and enlarged lymph nodes can cause airway compression of the large airways. If not treated correctly, airway compression can result in persistent and permanent parenchymal pathology, as well as irreversible lung destruction. Bronchoscopy was originally used to collect diagnostic samples; however, its role has evolved, and it is now used as an interventional tool in the diagnosis and management of complicated airway disease. Endoscopic treatment guidelines for children with TB are scarce.

AREAS COVERED

The role of interventional bronchoscopy in the diagnosis and management of complicated pulmonary TB will be discussed. This review will provide practical insights into how and when to perform interventional procedures in children with complicated TB for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This discussion incorporates current scientific evidence and refers to adult literature, as some of the interventions have only been done in adults but may have a role in children. Limitations and future perspectives will be examined.

EXPERT OPINION

Pediatric pulmonary TB lends itself to endoscopic interventions as it is a disease with a good outcome if treated correctly. However, interventions must be limited to safeguard the parenchyma and prevent permanent damage.

Complicated intrathoracic tuberculosis: Role of therapeutic interventional bronchoscopy

In recent years bronchoscopy equipment has been improved with smaller instruments and larger size working channels. This has ensured that bronchoscopy offers both therapeutic and interventional options. As the experience of paediatric interventional pulmonologists continues to grow, more interventions are being performed. There is a scarcity of published evidence in the field of interventional bronchoscopy in paediatrics. This is even more relevant for complicated pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Therapeutic interventional bronchoscopy procedures can be used in the management of complicated tuberculosis, including for endoscopic enucleations, closure of fistulas, dilatations of bronchial stenosis and severe haemoptysis. Endoscopic therapeutic procedures in children with complicated TB may prevent thoracotomy. If done carefully these interventional procedures have a low complication rate.

Multimodality Endoscopic Approach for Benign Central Airway Stenosis in Pediatric Tuberculosis: A Case Report

More children are benefitting from the wide application of bronchoscopy as interventional therapy to complications with airway involvement. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy with tracheobronchial tuberculosis complicated by severe obstruction in the left main bronchus. Early interventional endoscopic balloon dilation and cryoablation were adopted as adjunct therapy to his anti-tuberculosis treatment and had shown satisfying treatment outcomes.

Tuberculous bronchial stenosis: Diagnosis and role of interventional bronchoscopy

The reported prevalence of tuberculous bronchial stenosis in children is unknown and rarely reported in English-speaking literature. In adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, it varies from 40% in an autopsied series in the preantibiotic era to 10% in patients who have undergone routine bronchofibroscopy in modern times. We describe our experience of four cases of confirmed bronchial stenosis due to MTB collected between January 2000 and June 2021 in this case series descriptive study. The diagnosis of bronchial stenosis due to TB was made on flexible bronchoscopy. A TB diagnosis was made if MTB was cultured from respiratory secretions, when Ziehl-Neelsen smear or GeneXpert MTB/RIF test was positive, or if a chest radiograph revealed radiographic features typical of MTB. Bronchial stenosis due to TB is rare even if airway compression is frequently seen. Although an early diagnosis of bronchial stenosis due to TB is difficult on chest X-rays, all children in this series demonstrated parenchymal changes distal to the stenosis ranging from hyperinflation and lobar collaps to bronchiectasis. If bronchial stenosis resulting from TB disease is diagnosed early, balloon dilatation as described in this report, may be an effective and safe intervention, preventing long-term complications such as irreversible lung destruction, that may require pneumonectomy.

Pediatric bronchoscopy: recent advances and clinical challenges

Introduction: During the last 40 years equipment has been improved with smaller instruments and sufficient size working channels. This has ensured that bronchoscopy offers therapeutic and interventional options.Areas covered: We provide a review of recent advances and clinical challenges in pediatric bronchoscopy. This includes single-use bronchoscopes, endobronchial ultrasound, and cryoprobe. Bronchoscopy in persistent preschool wheezing and asthma is included. The indications for interventional bronchoscopy have amplified and included balloon dilatation, endoscopic intubation, the use of airway stents, whole lung lavage, closing of fistulas and air leak, as well as an update on removal of foreign bodies. Others include the use of laser and microdebrider in airway surgery. Experience with bronchoscope during the COVID-19 pandemic has been included in this review. PubMed was searched for articles on pediatric bronchoscopy, including rigid bronchoscopy as well as interventional bronchoscopy with a focus on reviewing literature in the past 5 years.Expert opinion: As the proficiency of pediatric interventional pulmonologists continues to grow more interventions are being performed. There is a scarcity of published evidence in this field. Courses for pediatric interventional bronchoscopy need to be developed. The COVID-19 experience resulted in safer bronchoscopy practice for all involved.

Interventional radiology in the airway in children

Interventional procedures in the airway can be performed in interventional radiology suites or the operating room, by radiologists or other specialists. The most common therapeutic interventions carried out by radiologists are balloon dilatation, stenting, and the treatment of certain airway fistulas. These operations can be very challenging for anesthetists in terms of planning, airway management, the identification and treatment of procedural complications and postoperative care. In particular, a multidisciplinary approach to decision-making and planning is important to obtain the best results.

Imaging of Airway Obstruction in Children

Various imaging techniques may be used to diagnose airway obstruction in children. Digital radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the most important modalities, but the choice of technique will depend on the level and nature of suspected obstruction, as well as patient-specific factors such as age and ability to cooperate. This review examines the forms of airway obstruction that are commonly encountered in childhood.

ERS statement on tracheomalacia and bronchomalacia in children

Tracheomalacia and tracheobronchomalacia may be primary abnormalities of the large airways or associated with a wide variety of congenital and acquired conditions. The evidence on diagnosis, classification and management is scant. There is no universally accepted classification of severity. Clinical presentation includes early-onset stridor or fixed wheeze, recurrent infections, brassy cough and even near-death attacks, depending on the site and severity of the lesion. Diagnosis is usually made by flexible bronchoscopy in a free-breathing child but may also be shown by other dynamic imaging techniques such as low-contrast volume bronchography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Lung function testing can provide supportive evidence but is not diagnostic. Management may be medical or surgical, depending on the nature and severity of the lesions, but the evidence base for any therapy is limited. While medical options that include bronchodilators, anti-muscarinic agents, mucolytics and antibiotics (as well as treatment of comorbidities and associated conditions) are used, there is currently little evidence for benefit. Chest physiotherapy is commonly prescribed, but the evidence base is poor. When symptoms are severe, surgical options include aortopexy or posterior tracheopexy, tracheal resection of short affected segments, internal stents and external airway splinting. If respiratory support is needed, continuous positive airway pressure is the most commonly used modality either via a face mask or tracheostomy. Parents of children with tracheobronchomalacia report diagnostic delays and anxieties about how to manage their child's condition, and want more information. There is a need for more research to establish an evidence base for malacia. This European Respiratory Society statement provides a review of the current literature to inform future study.

Tracheobronchial stenting for airway malacia

Tracheobronchomalacia is a rare but clinically troublesome condition in paediatrics. The softening of the major airways - which can include some or all of the tracheobronchial tree can lead to symptoms ranging from the minor (harsh barking cough, recurrent chest infections) to severe respiratory difficulties including prolonged ventilator support and 'near death attacks'. The causes are broadly divided into intrinsic softening of the airway wall which is considered a primary defect (e.g. syndromes; post tracheo-oesophageal fistula repair; extreme prematurity) or secondary malacia due to external compression from vascular structures or cardiac components. These secondary changes can persist even when the external compression is relieved, for example, following the repair of a pulmonary artery sling or double aortic arch. For children with severe clinical symptoms attributed to malacia, consideration is given to possible surgical remedies such as an aortopexy for short limited areas of malacia, or long term positive pressure support with CPAP either by non invasive or tracheostomy interface. More recently the role of stenting in children is receiving attention, especially with the development of newer techniques such as bioabsorbable stents which buy time for a natural history of improvement in the malacia to occur. This paper reviews the stents available and discusses the pros and cons of stenting in paediatric airway malacia.

ERS statement: interventional bronchoscopy in children

Paediatric airway endoscopy is accepted as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, with an expanding number of indications and applications in children. The aim of this European Respiratory Society task force was to produce a statement on interventional bronchoscopy in children, describing the evidence available at present and current clinical practice, and identifying areas deserving further investigation. The multidisciplinary task force panel performed a systematic review of the literature, focusing on whole lung lavage, transbronchial and endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial needle aspiration with endobronchial ultrasound, foreign body extraction, balloon dilation and occlusion, laser-assisted procedures, usage of airway stents, microdebriders, cryotherapy, endoscopic intubation, application of drugs and other liquids, and caregiver perspectives. There is a scarcity of published evidence in this field, and in many cases the task force had to resort to the collective clinical experience of the committee to develop this statement. The highlighted gaps in knowledge underline the need for further research and serve as a call to paediatric bronchoscopists to work together in multicentre collaborations, for the benefit of children with airway disorders.

Airway Problems in Neonates-A Review of the Current Investigation and Management Strategies

Airway problems in the neonatal population are often life threatening and raise challenging issues in diagnosis and management. The airway problems can result from congenital or acquired lesions and can be broadly classified into those causing obstruction or those due to an abnormal "communication" in the airway. Many different investigations are now available to identify the diagnosis and quantify the severity of the problem, and these tests can be simple or invasive. Bronchography and bronchoscopy are essential to determine the extent and severity of the airway problem and to plan treatment strategy. Further imaging techniques help to delineate other commonly associated abnormalities. Echocardiography is also important to confirm any associated cardiac abnormality. In this review, the merits and disadvantages of the various investigations now available to the clinician will be discussed. The current therapeutic strategies are discussed, and the review will focus on the most challenging conditions that cause the biggest management conundrums, specifically laryngotracheal cleft, congenital tracheal stenosis, and tracheobronchomalacia. Management of acquired stenosis secondary to airway injury from endotracheal intubation will also be discussed as this is a common problem. Slide tracheoplasty is the preferred surgical option for long-segment tracheal stenosis, and results have improved significantly. Stents are occasionally required for residual or recurrent stenosis following surgical repair. There is sufficient evidence that a multidisciplinary team approach for managing complex airway issues provides the best results for the patient. There is ongoing progress in the field with newer diagnostic tools as well as development of innovative management techniques, such as biodegradable stents and stem cell-based tracheal transplants, leading to a much better prognosis for these children in the future.

Management of tracheobronchial obstruction in infants using metallic stents: long-term outcome

INTRODUCTION

Tracheobronchial obstruction, although uncommon in the pediatric age group, remains a challenging problem. We review the long-term outcome of endoscopic metallic stenting in infants with tracheobronchial obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of all pediatric surgical patients who underwent tracheobronchial metallic stenting in our center were reviewed retrospectively from 1996 to 2014. Patients' demographic data, including etiology, associated anomalies and nature of obstruction were reviewed. Outcome measures include complications such as re-stenosis, granulation tissue, stent migration, fractured stent, maximal tracheal diameter achieved, weaning of ventilator and growth at interval follow-up.

RESULTS

Twelve balloon-expandable metallic stents were placed in the trachea (n = 10) and/or bronchi (n = 2) of 5 patients with a median age of 13 months (range 5-30 months). Etiology of the airway obstruction included congenital tracheal stenosis (n = 4), giant cervical and superior mediastinal lymphatic malformation with tracheobronchomalacia (n = 1). Seven complications were reported (3 patients developed granulation tissue, 2 patients had re-stenosis, 1 stent migrated, 1 stent fractured). All patients survived and were in good condition with a median follow-up of 16 years (range 11-18 years). Three patients weaned off ventilator and oxygen.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic stenting with metallic stent has satisfactory long-term outcome in treating infants with tracheobronchial obstruction.

The temporary placement of endobronchial stents in the management of bronchial compression by transiently enlarged mediastinal structures

Enlargement of mediastinal structures can cause compression of the trachea and/or bronchi. We describe two case reports in which stenosis of left main bronchus, secondary to compression from an enlarged mediastinal structure, were successfully managed with temporary placement of a metallic self-expanding stent while waiting for the compression to relieve.

Interventional radiology in infancy

Interventional radiology (IR) is an emerging sub-speciality within paediatric medicine. In adult care, IR is largely centred on the management of vascular disease but in paediatric practice, IR applications are varied and increasingly innovative, making this an exciting field to be a part of. IR has a central role both in the day to day care of sick children, from long term IV access provision to feeding tube insertions, and in the acute management of critically ill infants, such as those with overwhelming liver disease, neonatal tumours and vascular malformations. Paediatric IR faces a unique set of challenges, developing or modifying techniques and equipment for use in very small patients, training professionals to take the speciality forward and, most importantly, convincing paediatricians and healthcare institutions to create opportunities for IR to make a difference.

Interventional pulmonology procedures in the pediatric population

INTRODUCTION

Advanced training in interventional pulmonology (IP) includes a multidisciplinary approach to a wide variety of pathologic conditions affecting different age groups. The role of the interventional pulmonologist in the pediatric patient population has not been described. We report our experience of the care of pediatric patients by IP at an academic institution.

METHODS

A retrospective review of inpatient and outpatient IP procedures from 2008 to 2011 was performed. All patients' less than 21 years of age at the time of their procedure were identified. Data regarding age, procedure performed, pre-operative diagnosis, results, and complications were collected.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients younger than the age of 21, with 14 of these patients being under the age of 18, were identified. Fifty-six procedures were performed on the entire cohort, 30 as inpatient procedures and 26 as outpatient procedures. There were no deaths or major complications related to any procedure.

DISCUSSION

We identified a cohort of pediatric patients that were able to successfully undergo diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under the direction of an experienced IP team. Cases included the evaluation and management of both malignant and benign complex airway and pleural diseases. There was no major morbidity or mortality related to our procedures, demonstrating an ability to safely evaluate and manage complex airway and pleural disease in the pediatric population.

Nonvascular Pediatric Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology procedures are increasingly in demand in both the adult and pediatric populations. Pediatric procedures mirror many of the adult procedures but with increased complexity due to considerations related to patient size and the requirements for sedation and radiation protection. This article reviews the various nonvascular pediatric interventional procedures and provides information on sedation and radiation protection. The aim is to provide a greater exposure to the possible treatment options for pediatric patients and to facilitate understanding of imaging after various interventions.

Do tracheas grow after slide tracheoplasty?

BACKGROUND

Slide tracheoplasty has become the surgical technique of choice for repair of congenital tracheal stenosis. Despite the initial reluctance regarding the ability of this "reconstructed" trachea to grow, the reduced morbidity and mortality have allowed slide tracheoplasty to be widely adopted. The aim of this study was to evaluate tracheal growth after slide tracheoplasty.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study. In follow-up bronchography performed 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after slide tracheoplasty, we measured the cross-sectional areas of the midtrachea and distal trachea at each investigation and correlated the measurements with the anthropomorphic factors (body weight, height, and body surface).

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were enrolled in this study. The midtracheal and distal tracheal cross-sectional areas significantly increased with time (p ≤ 0.0001). The average rates of midtracheal growth were 21.0 mm(2)year in the first 6 months and 8.0 mm(2)/year in the first 2 years, and the distal trachea grew 18.5 mm(2)/year and 8.4 mm(2)/year, respectively. Regression analysis showed that both the midtrachea and the distal trachea increase significantly with weight (r(2) = 0.257, p ≤ 0.0001), height (r(2) = 0.376, p ≤ 0.0001), and body surface area (r(2) = 0.315, p ≤ 0.0001). Balloon dilation did not significantly alter the tracheal growth in the first 2 years after slide tracheoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Slide tracheoplasty does not inhibit tracheal growth. The reconstructed trachea grows faster in the first 6 months and slows in the following 18 months. There is a positive correlation between tracheal cross-sectional area and weight, height, and body surface area.

Radiology in paediatric non-traumatic thoracic emergencies

Non-traumatic thoracic emergencies in children are very frequent, and they usually present with breathing difficulties. Associated symptoms may be feeding or swallowing problems or less specific general symptoms such as fever, sepsis or chest pain. The emergencies always require a rapid diagnosis to establish a medical or surgical intervention plan, and radiological imaging often plays a key role. Correct interpretation of the radiological findings is of great importance in diagnosing and monitoring the illness and in avoiding serious complications. Plain radiography with fluoroscopy still remains the most important and frequently used tool to gain information on acute pulmonary problems. Ultrasound is the first choice for the detection and treatment of simple and complicated pleural effusions. Cross-sectional techniques such as multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are mainly used to study pulmonary/mediastinal masses and congenital abnormalities of the great vessels and the lungs. This article will discuss the choice of imaging technique, the urgency of radiological management and the imaging characteristics of acquired and congenital causes of non-traumatic thoracic emergencies. They represent common conditions involving the respiratory tract, chest wall and the oesophagus, as well as the less frequent causes such as tumours and manifestations of congenital malformations.

Cryorecanalization of an obstructed bronchial stent in a 12-year-old boy

We report a 12-year-old boy who underwent stent implantation into the left main bronchus at the age of 9.5 years for palliation of severe bronchial stenosis. He had developed complete obstruction of the stent by granulation tissue resulting in respiratory deterioration and the requirement of mechanical ventilation. The stent obstruction was treated at the age of 11.5 years by cryorecanalization. In this technique, cooling of the tip of the cryoprobe is used to induce adherence of the obstructing tissue allowing the subsequent removal of tissue particles by retraction of the probe. Under general anesthesia, a miniaturized cryoprobe was advanced via the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope. Repeat maneuvers of freezing and retraction resulted in complete recanalization of the stent. Repeat bronchoscopies 4 and 12 weeks later revealed recurrent formation of some granulation tissue which was removed by repeat cryorecanalization. Seven months after the initial procedure there was a complete patency of the stent. According to our experience, cryorecanalization is a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of stent obstruction by granulation tissue. Due to the introduction of a miniaturized probe, this method is well applicable in children since it can be performed via the working channel of a flexible pediatric bronchoscope.

Bronchial compression as adverse effect of left pulmonary artery stenting in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

A 5-year-old child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) was noted to have left pulmonary artery stenosis after Glenn shunt placement. Therefore, a stent was implanted into the left pulmonary artery to relieve stenosis. After redilatation of the pulmonary artery stent, wheezing, fatigue, asymmetric bronchial sound, and desaturation was noted. Computed tomography, bronchoscopy, and bronchography confirmed critical left main bronchus compression as a consequence of the mass effect of the dilated stent. Balloon plasty of the left bronchus successfully relieved bronchial stenosis. Tracheobronchial obstruction is a possible adverse effect of vascular stenting in children with congenital heart defects. Balloon plasty seems to be a safe and efficient therapeutic option in those cases.

Management of severe tracheal stenosis using flexible bronchoscopy and impulse oscillometry

Although rigid bronchoscopy is the procedure of choice for interventional procedures of the proximal airway, flexible bronchoscopy can be used when lesions are not accessible by rigid equipment. We present an adolescent patient with tracheal stenosis whose airway was inaccessible through rigid bronchoscopy and thus required flexible bronchoscopy for all therapeutic procedures, including a stent placement. In addition, we describe our use of impulse oscillometry to monitor stent patency.

Vascular compression of the airway in children

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is an important clinical problem. Although survival has improved over recent decades, certain children with CHD remain difficult to treat, usually because of severe co-morbidity or uncorrectable defects. Vascular compression of the airway is one such co-morbidity, occurring in approximately 1-2% of children with CHD. It may be caused by congenital anomalies of the configuration of the great vessels, enlargement of otherwise normal structures or as a result of surgery. The anatomical patterns seen in these children may be complex, and as surgical correction is usually required to relieve the compression, the pre-operative imaging assessment should be as complete as possible. Precise diagnosis and therapy are essential because chronic airway compression in childhood carries a significant morbidity and mortality. Airway stenting is currently reserved for rare occasions when surgical correction is not possible.

Airway stents in children

Airway obstruction in children is a rare, but difficult clinical problem, with no clear agreement on optimal therapeutic approach. Stenting of the airway has been used successfully in adults, and is an attractive alternative in children. Fundamental differences of pediatric compared to adult use include the benign nature of most stenoses, the narrow and soft airways of children, the required long-term tolerance and adaptation to growth. These differences may significantly alter the therapeutic balance, calling into question the precise role stents play in the treatment of airway obstruction in children. Stent placement can be technically demanding but is not exceedingly difficult. Experience is necessary to select the proper size and type of stent. Metal stents usually achieve airway patency and clinical improvement in the majority of cases, while this is less frequently the case with silicone stents. Some complications such as granulation and secretion retention seem to occur in most children after stent implantation. Unfortunately, severe complications including death have been reported in a significant proportion of children. Stent related mortality can be estimated at 12.9% from published data, but these include complication centered reports. The initial euphoria for airway stents in children has largely abated and most authors agree that they should only be employed in circumstances with no good alternatives. It is crucial that all surgical and medical alternatives are considered and the decision to place a stent is not made because other options are overlooked or not available locally. Stent use in a palliative setting has also been reported and is probably reasonable. Stents will only allow limited adaptation for the growth of pediatric airways by balloon dilatation. All metal stents should be considered as potentially permanent, and removal sometimes may only be possible through a surgical and sometimes risky approach.

Assessment of the adequacy of bronchial stenting by flow-volume loops

Airway compression is a common problem in children with certain forms of congenital heart disease. Although various surgical approaches are available to overcome this form of airway obstruction, internal stenting is necessary in a minority of patients. It can be difficult to assess the success of stenting at the time of the procedure, and the interval to successful extubation is usually used as an outcome measure. Measurement of relevant parameters of respiratory physiology with flow-volume and volume-pressure loops permits immediate quantitative assessment of the adequacy of stenting. A 3-month-old infant who underwent bronchial stenting and physiological assessment at the time of the procedure is described.