Use of tracheobronchography as a diagnostic tool in ventilator-dependent infants.

Abstract

Comparison of investigations of the airway in ventilator-dependent infants. Consecutive infants with suspected upper airway abnormalities were investigated using rigid bronchoscopy and tracheobronchography. Tertiary pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. Eight infants with suspected airway abnormalities. Rigid bronchoscopy and tracheobronchography. Structural abnormalities, segmental narrowing of the airways and the effect of various levels of positive-end expiratory pressures on the narrowings were documented. In six of the eight cases, additional airway abnormalities were diagnosed with tracheobronchography compared with rigid bronchoscopy. In cases of suspected abnormalities of the upper airway in small infants unable to be weaned from ventilatory support, tracheobronchography may be a more reliable investigation method than rigid bronchoscopy. The ability to assess the structural and dynamic components of the airway accurately and safely allows a correct and long-term treatment plan to be established in this group of patients.