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Tracheobronchomalacia
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Overview
As a quick review, malacia refers to 'softness' and, in medical terminology, generally refers to cartilage or bone. Tracheomalacia (TM) refers to a condition in which the trachea is weak and has collapsed usually due to deficiency of cartilage in a certain area or throughout the trachea. If the mainstem bronchi are involved as well, the term tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is used. It should be noted that, historically, many authors have used TM and TBM interchangeably, especially in studies found in the pediatric literature. (Click here to view a diagram of the respiratory system which includes the trachea and the bronchi.) [1] [2]
References
- Carden KA, Boiselle PM, Waltz DA, and Ernst A. . Tracheomalacia and Tracheobronchomalacia in Children and Adults: An In-Depth Review. Chest. 2005. http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/127/3/984. Accessed November 20, 2012.
- Chapter 19 - Large Airway disease.. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging, 4th ed. . 2001.
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General Information
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Tracheobronchomalacia. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.