TRACHEAL BRONCHUS - A CAUSE OF PROLONGED ATELECTASIS IN INTUBATED CHILDREN

Tracheal bronchus is a common anomaly that occurs in approximately 2% of people. Two children with multiple medical problems which led to en dotracheal intubation are described. The hospital course for each chil d was complicated by persistent right upper lobe atelectasis. The pres ence of a tracheal bronchus was not recognized in either case initiall y; identification of this anatomic variant allowed appropriate changes in airway management. The potential for tracheal bronchus to cause, o r be associated with, localized pulmonary problems is reviewed. The di agnosis of tracheal bronchus should be considered early in the course of intubated patients with right upper lobe complications.