Bronchoscopy in severe childhood asthma: Irresponsible or irreplaceable?

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2020 Mar;55(3):795-802. doi: 10.1002/ppul.24569. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Abstract

For children with severe asthma, guideline-based management focuses on the escalation of anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory medications while addressing comorbid conditions. Bronchoscopy, in this context, has been relegated to ruling out asthma mimickers. More recently, however, there have been questions surrounding the clinical utility of bronchoscopy in severe childhood asthma. In this solicited lecture summary, we discuss the past, present, and potential future applications of bronchoscopy in severe childhood asthma.

Keywords: Chlamydophila; Mycoplasma; Pneumocystis; airway inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / diagnosis*
  • Asthma / therapy*
  • Bronchoscopy*
  • Child
  • Humans