Plastic bronchitis mimicking foreign body aspiration that needs a specific diagnostic procedure

Abstract

Plastic bronchitis is an infrequent cause of acute life-threatening respiratory failure that can mimic foreign body aspiration or status asthmaticus. Bronchoscopic extraction must be performed urgently in the case of severe obstruction. This entity is probably underestimated as the casts with their specific ramifications are difficult to recognize. We recommend the immersion in normal saline of all plugs discovered in children with predisposing diseases mainly represented by infections, allergy, acute chest syndrome, and congenital cardiopathies.

Bronquite plástica em criança com talassemia alfa

“…It may progress through dyspnea, respiratory difficulties, coughing, wheezing and/or fever. The similarity in presentation to foreign body aspiration or severe acute asthma has been described by Noizet et al 9 As was reported in this case, the symptoms of acute onset, extensive atelectasis and no previous morbidity, result in an initial impression of foreign body aspiration. The presentation resulted in the immediate decision to explore the airways with endoscopy.…”

Bronchial cast: a case report

“…In cases like ours wherein patients present with acute onset severe respiratory distress, urgent bronchoscopy for diagnosis and removal of casts is recommended [3,6]. This entity is probably underestimated, as the casts with their specifi c ramifi cations are diffi cult to recognize.…”

“…It has been reported that plastic bronchitis is an infrequent cause of acute life threatening respiratory failure that can mimic foreign body aspiration or status asthmaticus making urgent bronchoscopy necessary [3,6].…”

“…The casts are large pale tan, rubber like causing severe airway obstruction. They could mimic foreign body aspiration or status asthmaticus requiring bronchoscopic extraction [3]. We present a case of one year old child who came with acute onset, respiratory distress mimicking a foreign body aspiration.Bronchoscopic removal of the cast, the histopathological features are described and the literature reviewed.…”

Successful Management of Plastic Bronchitis in a Child Post Fontan: Case Report and Literature Review

“…Evidence is based on success or failure within individual case studies. Acute management involves the stabilization of the cardiopulmonary system, potentially requiring intubation for respiratory failure [28,35,37,50,51]. General airway clearance measures with bronchodilators and chest physiotherapy should be initiated.…”