Abstract
To review the prevalence, clinical features, and role of bronchoscopy in patients with plastic bronchitis during the acute chest syndrome (ACS) of sickle cell disease (SCD). Eight-year review of clinical experience. Tertiary referral children's hospital. Twenty-six pediatric inpatients with 29 ACS episodes requiring diagnostic bronchoscopy. Of the pediatric inpatients with ACS who underwent bronchoscopy, plastic bronchitis was diagnosed in 21 of 29 episodes (72%). There was no difference in clinical features between the patients with and without plastic bronchitis. Bronchoscopy was an essential diagnostic tool, but its therapeutic benefits were doubtful. This is the first report of the prevalence of plastic bronchitis in patients with ACS of SCD. In our patient population, this condition was found to be common. The role of diagnostic bronchoscopy is essential. A large series, multicenter study is required to determine whether bronchoscopy and BAL are therapeutically beneficial when added to currently practiced supportive care.
Highlights
Title Plastic bronchitis and the role of bronchoscopy in the acute chest syndrome of sickle cell disease
There was no difference in clinical features between the patients with and without plastic bronchitis
Bronchoscopy was an essential diagnostic tool, but its therapeutic benefits were doubtful. This is the first report of the prevalence of plastic bronchitis in patients with acute chest syndrome (ACS) of sickle cell disease (SCD)
Summary
We reviewed our personal experience (C.M., E.N.) and medical records of pediatric inpatients with ACS who underwent bronchoscopy at Miller Children’s at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach, CA, over the past 8 years. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center has an active SCD treatment center currently caring for approximately 240 patients. Bronchoscopy report, imaging studies, and laboratory results were reviewed. The authors (C.M., E.N.) were involved in the care of each patient and performed fiberoptic bronchoscopy and BAL as previously described.[6] Descriptive statistical analysis was used, and data are presented as median, mean, SE, range, percentage, and risk ratio. All mean values are reported with 95% confidence levels. Comparisons between the group with plastic bronchitis and group without plastic bronchitis were calculated using unpaired Student’s t test
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
