Tracheal

[starion]

Dear LungLine Nurse,
Someone e-mailed me about having Tracheal & Bronchiomalacia as an adult and was wondering what the prognosis is and where she could find further info.  I suggested she call LungLine at National Jewish to see if you have any info and whether she might benefit from an evaluation & treatment at National Jewish--any other suggestions?  She says she's found info but nothing about prognosis & treatment options.  Thanks!  Thanks also for all the good info you supply.

Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI

[National Jewish]

In tracheobronchomalacia the airways narrow when breathing out because of softening of the airway walls.  The prognosis or outcome will depend on how affected the airways are by the tracheobronchomalacia.
There are two forms of treatment for tracheobronchomalacia:
- Non-surgical
Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose to keep the airways open.  A lung specialist or pulmonologist who has had experience with the use of nasal CPAP will be able to arrange for treatment with this machine.
- Surgical
Most of the surgery to treat tracheobronchomalacia has been done in babies and children.  However surgery has been used in adults to place a stent, a device that keeps the airways open.  A chest surgeon who has had experience with this type of surgery will be able to arrange for this treatment.  This stenting surgery has been done at the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.

[starion]

Dear LungLine Nurse,
Thanks for the great information--in reply to my question and the many others posted by everyone.  It is very helpful to have such reliable, high quality information to share.  There is a lot of mis-information circulating and it's so important to know that you & this Forum are here with accurate information.
I have forwarded your information on to the woman who asked me for help.  We thank you!
Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI