Effectiveness of Bronchoscopic Examination in Children with Prolonged Cough

Mayrye LM and Chakriyaevi DA

Published on: 2025-04-15

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Frequently ill children (FIC) with prolonged cough remain a critical issue in pediatric practice. Timely identification of the underlying cause of persistent and chronic cough helps prevent unnecessary treatment and reduce long-term complications. The aim of this study is to optimize methods for early diagnosis and treatment of frequently ill children (FIC) with prolonged and chronic cough to prevent long-term complications.

Materials and Methods: The study presents data from clinical, radiological, bronchoscopic, CT, and MRI examinations of 107 patients treated between 2017 and 2023 at the Bishkek City Children's Emergency Clinical Hospital (BCCECH). These patients had prolonged cough and had previously undergone repeated ineffective treatments at other medical facilities.

Results: Bronchoscopic examination revealed the following conditions: purulent-fibrinous endobronchitis in 69 patients (64.48%), foreign bodies in the lower respiratory tract in 28 (26.16%), bronchial adenoma and tracheobronchomalacia in 4 (3.73%), and bronchiectasis in 6 (5.60%) patients.

Conclusions: A diagnostic algorithm involving detailed history-taking and therapeutic-diagnostic bronchoscopy in cases of prolonged and chronic cough previously treated unsuccessfully under diagnoses such as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and other lower respiratory tract pathologies demonstrated the effectiveness of bronchoscopy in identifying purulent endobronchitis, foreign bodies, and congenital anomalies of the lower respiratory tract in children.