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Plastic bronchitis requiring bronchoscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2010

E Hoskison ,
O Judd ,
E Dickinson  and
A Dux
E Hoskison*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester, UK
O Judd
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester, UK
E Dickinson
Affiliation:
University of Leicester Medical School, UK
A Dux
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Leicester, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Ms E Hoskison, Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK. Fax: +44 (0)116 2585631 E-mail: emmahoskison@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

We report two cases of plastic bronchitis presenting with acute respiratory failure and mimicking foreign body inhalation.

Method:

The clinical findings, differential diagnoses and radiological investigation are discussed.

Results:

Plastic bronchitis is an uncommon condition, particularly in children. The condition may present to otolaryngologists with symptoms mimicking foreign body inhalation. It is important to consider plastic bronchitis as a differential diagnosis, based on its clinical and radiological signs. Early intervention, in the form of bronchoscopy, can be both diagnostic and therapeutic.

Conclusion:

Plastic bronchitis is uncommon and its clinical and radiological features are non-specific. The recommended management is early bronchoscopy to establish the diagnosis and enable therapeutic intervention.

Keywords

PlasticsBronchitisBronchoscopyForeign Bodies

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 12 , December 2010 , pp. 1321 - 1324
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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