During embryonic development, appropriate dorsoventral patterning of the trachea leads to the formation of periodic cartilage rings from the ventral mesenchyme and continuous smooth muscle from the dorsal mesenchyme. In this work, we have investigated the role of two crucial morphogens, fibroblast growth factor 10 and sonic hedgehog, in the formation of periodically alternating cartilaginous an...

Goiter or thyromegaly is one of the most common causes of mid tracheal obstruction (external compression or stenosis), which may be associated with difficult larynx visualization and/or difficult airway management, depending on the goiter size, type and ingrowth into the surrounding tissue. Iodine deficiency disorders are still one of the most common causes of goiter in the population of the Af...

Case reports Case 1. 70 years old woman, with history of severe persistent asthma for 10 years was referred to our allergy clinic. She could not control her asthma and asthmatic attack always happened at night, so it was worse when she slept. She was treated with fluticasone/salmeterol accuhaler (250/50 mcg) 2 puffs twice daily, montelukast (10 mg), theophylline (200 mg), procaterol (50 mcg) an...

This study was carried out to evaluate the clinical presentation, surgical treatment, complications, and risk of malignancy for large substernal goiter. From March 2010 to December 2012, 12 patients with large substernal thyroid goiter who underwent surgery in our Department were enrolled in the study. Their medical records were retrospectively analyzed. Collar-shaped incision was adequate for ...

OBJECTIVE To review the presentation and natural history of children with vascular rings and present management guidelines. METHODS Retrospective study of tertiary care pediatric medical center charts from 1991 to 2002. RESULTS There were 37 males and 27 females with a diagnosis of vascular rings. At presentation, 91% of patients had airway symptoms and 47% had esophageal symptoms. Airway s...

Central airway collapse plays a significant, underrecognized role in respiratory failure after extubation of critically ill patients. Historically, airway collapse has been attributed to tracheomalacia (TM), softening of the cartilage in the trachea and other large airways. More recently, excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) has been described as a distinct process unrelated to a loss of ca...

OBJECTIVE To determine possible indications for tracheotomy in the burned child based on bronchoscopic and laryngoscopic findings. DESIGN AND SETTING A retrospective case study of all patients admitted to a tertiary children's burn center. PARTICIPANTS All children admitted with burn inhalation injury between 1990 and 1995 (n = 211). INTERVENTION All patients underwent laryngoscopy and br...

Chronic, long-term respiratory morbidity (CRM) is common in patients with a history of repaired congenital esophageal atresia, typically associated with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). EA/TEF patients are at high risk of having aspiration, and retrospective studies have associated CRM with both recurrent aspiration and atopy. However, studies evaluating the association between CRM in this p...

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of cricotracheal resection and hilar release for high-grade, long-segment airway stenosis. DESIGN We identified 16 patients who underwent cricotracheal resection and hilar release, performed from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008, and conducted a retrospective review, emphasizing preoperative findings, operative technique, postoperative course...

INTRODUCTION Comprehensive airway evaluation is a critical component in the diagnosis of common pediatric conditions including laryngomalacia, vocal fold immobility, subglottic or tracheal stenosis, tracheomalacia, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. It is imperative in these cases that complete airway assessment from the supraglottis to bronchi be safely performed. This can be particular...