Introduction
A bronchoscope is a tool that is used to visualize the upper and lower airways for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons [1,2]. Bronchoscopy is one of the most important diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in pediatric respiratory disease and has advantages over other diagnostic methods. There are two types of pediatric bronchoscopy, flexible (FB) and rigid (RB). The rigid bronchoscope consists of a metal body, and it is inserted under general anesthesia into the tracheobronchial tree. A flexible bronchoscope consists of bundles of optical fibers that are used for imaging and delivering light to the tip. Besides, the bundles are the working channel for intervention and passage of the instrument. It can be done under light sedation or general anesthesia [2].
There are various indications for bronchoscopy: persistent stridor, congenital, anatomical, or acquired anomalies, persistent wheezing, hemoptysis, persistent or recurring atelectasis, persistent or recurring pneumonia, and localized hyperlucency. Other uses of bronchoscopy are bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), getting biopsy samples, and aspiration of secretions. Examples of therapeutic bronchoscopy are administering medications and removing foreign bodies [1,3-8]. Absolute contraindications for bronchoscopy include severe hypoxemia, hemodynamic instability, and uncorrected hemorrhagic diathesis. Expreterm, severe pulmonary hypertension, and congenital cyanotic cardiomyopathy with increased bronchial collateral circulation are relative contraindications [9]. In addition, instabilities in the cervical spine or atlantooccipital transition are considered relative contraindications for rigid bronchoscopy [10]. The common complication of bronchoscopy is related to anesthesia, mechanical trauma (epistaxis, pneumothorax, and hemoptysis), hypoxemia, laryngospasm, post-lavage fever, and infection [1,11].
In this retrospective chart review (RCR), we reviewed and analyzed data of pediatric patients who had bronchoscopy done between January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, during their admission in AQWCH. This study aims to evaluate patients' characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic indications, and complications of bronchoscopy.
Materials and methods
Methods and study design
This study is a RCR. We used a timeframe sample and utilized de-identified medical record data of all patients who underwent a bronchoscopy procedure between January 01, 2018, and December 31, 2019. This study was conducted at Al Qassimi Women and Children Hospital (AQWCH), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). All selected patients were minors; however, all data were unidentified, anonymous, and stored on password-protected computers accessed by the principal investigator only, and ethical approval was obtained from the Ministry of Health and Prevention Medicine, UAE (Approval number: MOHAP/DXB-REC/JJJ/No.3/2021).
Patient selection
Patients who were hospitalized at AQWCH and had bronchoscopy procedures done between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, were identified retrospectively from the electronic database of the Pediatric Department. We included in this study children between the ages of one day to 13 years who underwent a flexible or rigid bronchoscopy procedure. We excluded repeated bronchoscopy for the same patient in the same admission.
Statistical analysis
Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the variables, using frequencies for categorical variables. Data for categorical variables were tested using a Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Continuous variables were tested using the T-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test and visualization of histograms. If the continuous variables were not normal, then the Kruskal-Wallis test was used instead. We rounded the percentage up or down to the nearest number of decimals for the purpose of easily understanding without affecting the main result. The alpha value of P-value ≤ 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance.
Results
The retrospective analysis was done for 72 patients under the age of 13 years who underwent bronchoscopy (FB or RB) between January 2018 and December 2019. Of these patients, 39 were male, and 33 were female, with a median age of 1.06 years (range 0.045-4.05). Regarding the aim of bronchoscopy, 51% was diagnostic, and 49% diagnostic and therapeutic. The signs and symptoms were cough (n=53; 74%), distress (n=47; 65%), failure to thrive (n=32; 44%), fever (n=30; 42%), cyanosis (n=7; 10%), and clubbing (n=6; 8%). Findings on clinical examination were chest recession (n=46; 64%), lung crackles (n=35; 49%), lung`s asymmetric air entry (n=31; 43%), wheezes (n=23; 32%), stridor (n=19; 26%), chest wall malformation (n=6; 8%), and dullness (n=1; 1%) (Table 1).
Table 1
Demographic and medical characteristics of patients.
| Chracteristics | Frequencies |
| Gender, n (%) | |
| Male | 39 (54%) |
| Female | 33 (46%) |
| Age (years) median (IQR) | 1.06 (0.045-4.05) |
| Aim of bronchoscopy, n (%) | |
| Only diagnostic | 37 (51%) |
| Diagnostic and therapeutic | 36 (49%) |
| Signs and symptoms, n (%) | |
| Cough | 53 (74%) |
| Distress | 47 (65%) |
| Failure to thrive | 32 (44%) |
| Fever | 30 (42%) |
| Cyanosis | 7 (10%) |
| Clubbing | 6 (8%) |
| Respiratory findings in clinical examination, n (%) | |
| Recession | 46 (64%) |
| Lung crackles | 35 (49%) |
| Wheezes | 23 (32%) |
| Stridor | 19 (26%) |
| Asymmetric air entry | 15 (21%) |
| Chest wall malformation | 6 (8%) |
| Dullness | 1 (1 5%) |
Indication for bronchoscopy
The indications of bronchoscopy were foreign body aspiration (n=23; 32%), persistent stridor (n=19; 26 %), BAL (n=15; 21%), persistent pneumonia (n=13; 18%), recurrent pneumonia (n=11; 15%), bronchiectasis (n=10; 12%), interstitial lung disease (n=6; 8%), wheezing (n=5; 7%), difficult extubation (n=7; 10%), chronic cough (n=4; 6%), persistent dyspnea (n=3; 4%), persistent atelectasis (n=2; 3%), difficult intubation (n=2; 3%), hemoptysis (n=1; 1%), pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient (n=1; 1%), unilateral wheezing (n=1; 1%), and hyperlucent lung (n=1; 1%). In the present study, the underlying diseases found were respiratory disorder (n=18; 25%), cardiology disease (n=13; 18%), gastrointestinal disorder (n=8; 11%), and immunodeficiency (n=1; 1%). The decision for bronchoscopy was made by pulmonologists in 70 (97%) patients, and by other specialties in two patients (Table 2).
Table 2
Indication, underlying disease, and decision of bronchoscopy
| Frequency, n (%) | |
| Indication for Bronchoscopy | |
| Foreign body | 23 (32%) |
| Stridor | 19 (26%) |
| Persistent pneumonia | 13 (18%) |
| Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) | 15 (21%) |
| Recurrent pneumonia | 11 (15%) |
| Bronchiectasis | 10 (12%) |
| Difficult extubation | 7 (10%) |
| Interstitial lung disease | 6 (8%) |
| Persistent wheezing | 5 (7%) |
| Chronic cough | 4 (6%) |
| Dyspnea | 3 (4%) |
| Difficult intubation | 2 (3%) |
| Persistent atelectasis | 2 (3%) |
| Hemoptysis | 1 (1%) |
| Pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient | 1 (1%) |
| Unilateral wheezing | 1 (1%) |
| Hyperlucent lung | 1 (1%) |
| Underlying disease | |
| Respiratory disorder | 18 (25%) |
| Cardiology disease | 13 (18%) |
| Neuromuscular disorder | 13 (18%) |
| Gastrointestinal disorder | 8 (11%) |
| Immunodeficiency | 1 (1%) |
| Hematology/oncology disease | 1 (1%) |
| Decision for Bronchoscopy | |
| Pulmonologist | 70 (97%) |
| Other | 2 (3%) |
Rigid bronchoscopy
A total of 23 patients underwent RB with suspicion of foreign body aspiration. Of them, 16 (70%) patients presented with a positive history, and in 15 (93%), foreign body was found. Negative history was in seven (30%) patients and in three (42%) of them, foreign body was found. We found abnormal physical examination in 14 (60%) patients, and in 12 (85%) of them, foreign body was extracted. Examination was normal in nine (39%), and foreign body was found in six (67%) patients. Chest X-ray was abnormal in nine (39%), and foreign body was extracted in eight (89%) patients. Chest x-ray was normal in 14 (61%) and foreign bodies were found in 12 (85%) (Table 3). Extracted foreign bodies included 14 organic, four plastic, one sticker, one stone, one candy wrap, one stalk of grape, and one pin. Specificity and sensitivity of patient history, physical examination, and chest X-ray were 80% and 83%, 66% and 60%, and 40% and 66%, respectively (Table 3).
Table 3
Sensitivity and specificity of different variables in rigid bronchoscopy
| Variable | Total No, n (%) | Foreign Body, n (%) | Specificity, % | Sensitivity, % | ||
| Yes | No | |||||
| Patient History | Positive history | 16 (70%) | 15 (93%) | 1 (7%) | 80% | 83% |
| Negative history | 7 (30%) | 3 (42%) | 4 (58%) | |||
| Physical examination | Positive examination | 14 (60%) | 12 (85%) | 2 (15%) | 66% | 60% |
| Normal examination | 9 (40%) | 6 (67%) | 3 (33%) | |||
| Chest X-ray | Abnormal Chest X-ray | 9 (39%) | 8 (89%) | 1 (11%) | 40% | 66% |
| Normal Chest X-ray | 14 (61%) | 12 (85%) | 2 (15%) | |||
Radiologic findings
Radiological findings were tested at the time of admission. Chest X-ray study for all patients (n=72) showed consolidation in 29 (40%), pneumonia in 21 (29%), normal study in 18 (25%), unilateral hyperinflation in 11 (15%), atelectasis in nine (13%), pleural effusion in seven (10%), localized air trapping in three (4%), pneumothorax in one (1%), mediastinal shift in one (1%), mediastinal mass in one (1%), and visible foreign body in one (1%). Chest CT was done for 40 (56%) patients and it revealed consolidation in 29 (73%), bronchiectasis in 12 (31%), ground glass opacity in 12 (30%), pleural effusion in eight (20%), normal findings were in three (8%) unilateral hyperinflations in three (8%), septation in three (8%), cystic malformation in one (3%), and visible foreign body in one (3%) (Table 4).
Table 4
Radiological findings
| Radiologic Findings on Admission | Frequencies, n (%) |
| Consolidation on the chest X-ray study | 29 (40%) |
| Pneumonia on the chest X-ray study | 21 (29%) |
| Normal radiograph on the chest X-ray study | 18 (25%) |
| Unilateral hyperinflation on the chest X-ray study | 11 (15%) |
| Atelectasis on the chest X-ray study | 9 (13%) |
| Pleural effusion on the chest X-ray study | 7 (10%) |
| Localized air trapping on the chest X-ray study | 3 (4%) |
| Mediastinal shift on the chest X-ray study | 1 (1%) |
| Mass on the chest X-ray study | 1 (1%) |
| Visible foreign body on the chest X-ray study | 1 (1%) |
| Pneumothorax on the chest X-ray study | 1 (1%) |
| Chest CT study done | 40 (56%) |
| Consolidation on the chest CT study | 29 (73%) |
| Bronchiectasis on the chest CT study | 12 (31%) |
| Ground glass opacity findings on the chest CT study | 12 (30%) |
| Pleural effusion on the chest CT study | 8 (20%) |
| Unilateral hyperinflation on the chest CT study | 3 (8%) |
| Septation on the chest CT study | 3 (8%) |
| Normal findings on the chest CT study | 3 (8%) |
| Visible foreign body findings on the chest CT study, no (%) | 1 (3%) |
| Cyst on the chest CT study, no (%) | 1 (3%) |
Bronchoscopy findings
The bronchoscopy procedure result showed foreign body in 18 (25%), tracheomalacia in 12 (17%), normal findings in 11 (15%), airway narrowing in eight (11%), granulation tissue in six (8%), inflammation in seven (10%), vocal cord swelling in seven (10%), mucus plug was seven (10%), airway compression in seven (10%), subglottic stenosis in six (8%), laryngomalacia in three (4%), glottic stenosis in two (3%), hemangioma in two (3%), bleeding in one (1%), airway malformation in one (1%), bronchomalacia in one (1%), and vocal cord immobility in one (1%). The suspected diagnosis was confirmed in 64 (89%), management was changed in 39 (54%), and the diagnosis was changed in 34 (47%) (Table 5).
Table 5
Bronchoscopy findings and efficacy
| Bronchoscopy Findings | Frequencies, n (%) |
| Foreign body | 18 (25%) |
| Tracheomalacia | 12 (17%) |
| Normal bronchoscopy | 11 (15%) |
| Airway narrowing | 8 (11%) |
| Airway compression | 7 (10%) |
| Inflammation | 7 (10%) |
| Mucus plug | 7 (10%) |
| Vocal cord swelling | 7 (10%) |
| Granulation tissue | 6 (8%) |
| Subglottic stenosis | 6 (8%) |
| Laryngomalacia | 3 (4%) |
| Hemangioma | 2 (3%) |
| Glottis stenosis | 2 (3%) |
| Vocal cord immobility | 1 (1%) |
| Bleeding | 1 (1%) |
| Airway malformation | 1 (1%) |
| Bronchomalacia | 1 (1%) |
| Bronchoscopy efficacy | |
| Suspected diagnosis confirmed | 64 (89%) |
| Change of management | 39 (54%) |
| Change of diagnosis after the procedure | 34 (47%) |
Complications during and after the bronchoscopy procedure
Complications found during the bronchoscopy included desaturation in 19 (26%), fever in eight (11%), bleeding in two (3%), laryngeal spasm in two (3%), and bronchial spasm in one (1%). Complications post bronchoscopy included cough in 10 (14%), bleeding in three (4%), desaturation in one (1%), laryngeal spasm in one (1%), bronchial spasm in one (1%), and vomiting in one (1%) (Table 6).
Table 6
Complications seen during and after bronchoscopy
| Complications | Freuencies, n (%) |
| During the Bronchoscopy Procedure | |
| Desaturation | 19 (26%) |
| Bleeding | 2 (3%) |
| Laryngeal spasm | 2 (3%) |
| Apnea | 1 (1%) |
| Bronchial spasm | 1 (1%) |
| After the Bronchoscopy Procedure | |
| Cough | 10 (14%) |
| Fever | 8 (11%) |
| Bleeding | 3 (4%) |
| Laryngeal spasm | 1 (1%) |
| Desaturation | 1 (1%) |
| Bronchial spasm | 1 (1%) |
| Vomiting | 1 (1%) |
BAL
BAL was done for a total of 28 (39%) patients. The diagnosis was changed after the BAL result in 22 (79%), and the pathogen was detected by BAL in 21 (75%) with a negative culture in seven (25%) (Table 7). The common organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Figure 1).
Table 7
Bronchoalveolar lavage result
BAL: bronchoalveolar lavage
| Frequencies, n (%) | |
| BAL | 28 (39%) |
| Diagnosis changed after BAL result | 22 (79%) |
| Pathogen detected by BAL | 21 (75%) |
Figure 1
The cultured pathogen
MRSA: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Discussion
This study aimed to reveal the most important indications, complications, and diagnostic and therapeutic yield of pediatric bronchoscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing indications and highlighting possible complications of bronchoscopy procedures among the pediatric population in the UAE. The macroscopic (static and dynamic) and microscopic (cultures, histocytology) givens, collected during the bronchoscopy are important information allowing ruling in or out the suspected diagnosis; in addition, revealing some unpredicted findings can lead to the final diagnosis.
Of the total of 72 bronchoscopies, RB was 23 (32%), and 49 (68%) was FB. The most common symptom was cough at 74%, and the most common presenting clinical finding was lung crackles at 49%. Persistent wet cough for four weeks and more should be investigated via bronchoscopy [12,13], and in our study, only 6% of patients underwent bronchoscopy due to wet cough.
In this study, foreign body aspiration was the commonest indication for RB (32%), followed by stridor (26%) for FB. In a multi-center survey study done in Europe, foreign body aspiration was seen in 20 of 30 patients. There are papers that reported the extraction of foreign body with flexible bronchoscopy [14]. Despite these papers, as mentioned in the Greek study [15], we believe the best tool for extraction is rigid bronchoscopy. Similar to other studies, stridor was the most common indication for flexible bronchoscopy [16], but contrary to the other studies, the most common bronchoscopic finding was tracheomalacia. A foreign body was found in only 25% of all bronchoscopies and 78% of RB. Similar to other studies, chest X-rays were normal in 47% of patients who were suspected of having a foreign body, which can reach up to 66% [17-21].
We tested the outcome of bronchoscopy, which was slightly higher compared to international studies, and was valuable for diagnosis in 89% [14,22-25]. Both types of bronchoscopy are safe procedures. The common complications that are seen are desaturation, hypoxemia, cough and bronchospasm, trauma, and obstruction of the airway due to edema, hemorrhage, pneumothorax, fever, and infections [26,1].
In our study, the complications that occurred during and post bronchoscopy were considered to be minor, and desaturation was the common complication during the bronchoscopy. At the same time, cough was the most common complication post bronchoscopy. According to Rosenthal, fever is one of the most common consequences of bronchoscopy, especially post BAL [11]. In the present study, however, there was no fever related to bronchoscopy either due to underlying disease (infection) or due to early discharge of the patient post procedure.
In the present study, the diagnostic yield of BAL was high (79%), and BAL culture was positive in 75%. Earlier studies have revealed the diagnostic yield of BAL between 33-80% [27-30]. Pseudomonas was the comment organism found in the culture, and this was due to the nature of patients who underwent bronchoscopy procedures.
This study has a number of limitations, including small sample size and retrospective design. This might have affected some of our results, particularly those related to cell count and differentiation (histocytology) in BAL and the risk factors for desaturation.
Conclusions
Bronchoscopy is one of the most important tools in pediatric pulmonology. The most common indication for bronchoscopy in children is stridor and foreign body aspiration in our study. Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic tool not only for airway anatomy but also to obtain BAL for cell analysis and culture, which can differentiate infection from inflammation and diagnose diseases. While it is a safe procedure and complications are rare, especially with expert bronchoscopists, life-threatening complications are still possible. It requires different preparation with each indication of the procedure to avoid such complications. In addition, bronchoscopy is an important tool for interventions such as bronchial and lung biopsy, intubation of children in some situations, and balloon bronchial dilatation with stents. The type of bronchoscopy (RB or FB) depends on the indications.
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