Bronchomalacia is a term for weak cartilage in the walls of the bronchial tubes, occurring in children under six months, presented with noisy breathing and/or wheezing. There is collapse of a main stem bronchus

Bronchus

A bronchus is a passage of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. The bronchus branches into smaller tubes, which in turn become bronchioles....

, on expiration

Expiration

Expiration is an independent feature film written, directed and starring Gavin Heffernan. It was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize and Best Film at the Canadian Filmmakers' Festival....

. There are two types of Bronchomalacia. Primary Bronchomalacia is due to a deficiency in the cartilaginous rings. Secondary Bronchomalacia may occur by extrinsic compression from an enlarged vessel, a vascular ring or a bronchogenic cyst.

Description

Bronchomalacia can best be described as a
birth defect of the bronchus

Bronchus

A bronchus is a passage of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. The bronchus branches into smaller tubes, which in turn become bronchioles....

 in the respiratory tract

Respiratory tract

In humans the respiratory tract is the part of the anatomy involved with the process of respiration.The respiratory tract is divided into 3 segments:*Upper respiratory tract: nose and nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, and throat or pharynx...

. Congenital malacia of the large airways is one of the few causes of irreversible airways obstruction in children, with symptoms varying from recurrent wheeze and recurrent lower airways infections to severe dyspnea

Dyspnea

Dyspnea , shortness of breath , or air hunger, is the subjective symptom of breathlessness.It is a normal symptom of heavy exertion but becomes pathological if it occurs in unexpected situations...

 and respiratory insufficiency.

Primary Bronchomalacia

• Primary Bronchomalacia is classified as congenital.
• Primary Bronchomalacia is caused by a deficiency in the cartilaginous rings.
• Primary airway malacia was defined as airway malacia in otherwise normal infants.

Secondary Bronchomalacia

• Secondary Bronchomalacia is acquired.
• Secondary Bronchomalacia may occur by extrinsic compression from an enlarged vessel, a vascular ring or a bronchogenic cyst.
• Secondary airway malacia was defined as airway malacia secondary to esophageal atresia, VATER/VACTERL association (condition with vertebral anomalies, anal atresia, congenital heart disease, tracheoesophageal fistula or esophageal atresia, renourinary anomalies, or radial limb defects), vascular or other external compression of the airways, or specific syndromes.

Treatment

1. Time
   1. Minimally Invasive, usually in conjunction with Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure.
2. Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure
   1. A method of respiratory ventilation.
3. Tracheotomy
   Tracheotomy
   Among the oldest described surgical procedures, tracheotomy consists of making an incision on the anterior aspect of the neck and opening a direct airway through an incision in the trachea...
   
   
   1. Surgical procedures on the neck to open a direct airway through an incision in the trachea (the windpipe).

External links

• Bronchomalacia Information and Education