American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jan 1997
Review Case ReportsBronchial casts in children: a proposed classification based on nine cases and a review of the literature.
Bronchial casts are characterized by the formation of obstructive airway plugs that may be large enough to fill the branching pattern of an entire lung. The condition is rare but can occur at any age. Casts may be secondary to underlying diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis, but there are often no predisposing factors. ⋯ Survivors of Type 1 casts seem to be well controlled with inhaled steroids. Optimal therapy for patients with Type 2 casts is not clear; the prognosis probably depends on underlying cardiac status. We hope that this simple classification will provide a framework for further study of this obscure condition.