ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FB) is an important diagnostic examination in paediatric pulmonology. In 2002 the Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergy Club undertook a retrospective study to establish the current status of fibreoptic bronchoscopy among its members. METHODS: In 2001 sixty five paediatric pulmonologists carried out an average of 116 examinations (+/- 111) in 35 paediatric centres. FB was performed either in an operating theatre (15 centres), a dedicated bronchoscopy suite (6 centres) or an endoscopy suite shared with gastro-enterologists (7 centres). Other examinations were performed in areas dedicated to, or associated with intensive care. General anaesthesia was routinely used in 18 centres. The others used sedation including an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide in 14 centres. Ten centres performed less than 50 examinations, 12 between 51 and 100, 4 between 101 and 200 and 8 centres more than 200 in the year. Seventy two per cent of the children were less than 6 years old. The washing and disinfection procedures were manual in 20 centres and automatic in 15. RESULTS: Three principal indications were reported: persistent wheezing, suspicion of a foreign body and ventilatory difficulties. Cough, desaturation and fever were the most frequently reported side effects. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first survey in paediatric pulmonology in France. It shows a wide variation in the practice of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in children.
Subject(s)
Bronchoscopes , Bronchoscopy , Bronchoscopes/statistics & numerical data , Bronchoscopy/statistics & numerical data , Child , Equipment Design , France , Humans , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Retrospective Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesSubject(s)
Adoption , Child Health Services , Child , Child, Abandoned , Child, Preschool , Female , France , Humans , Male , Puberty, Precocious/diagnosisSubject(s)
Immunization Programs , Journalism, Medical , Public Health , Vaccination , Adolescent , Child , Child Welfare , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Information Services , Public OpinionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tracheal agenesis is an uncommon, and lethal malformation. It can combine with other malformations. CASE REPORT: Two cases of congenital tracheal agenesis were seen in preterm infants (GA: 36 and 34 weeks, respectively). Diagnosis was suggested at birth when tracheal intubation failed in those asphyxic patients. One infant presented with the Vacter association; karyotype was normal in both cases. CONCLUSION: Antenatal diagnosis of tracheal agenesis is difficult but is desirable to favor a well-adapted management of the newborn at birth and give valuable information to parents.
