Excessive dynamic airway collapse for the internist: new nomenclature or different entity?

Abstract

Excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) refers to abnormal and exaggerated bulging of the posterior wall within the airway lumen during exhalation. This condition is pathological if the reduced airway lumen is <50% of the normal. It is a relatively new disease entity that is recognised more easily now with the increased use of multi-detector row CT. EDAC is often asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Although the term excessive dynamic airway collapse is often used interchangeably with tracheobronchomalacia, both entities represent morphologically and physiologically distinct processes. Considering the confusion between the two entities, the prevalence of stand-alone EDAC remains unclear. The prevalence of tracheobronchomalacia and EDAC depends upon the patient population, associated comorbidities and underlying aetiologies, diagnostic tools used and criteria used to define the airway collapse. This review defines EDAC and describes its pathophysiology, precipitating factors, associated symptoms and potential treatments.

• Authors: Ankur Kalra, Wissam Abouzgheib, Mithil Gajera, Chandrasekar Palaniswamy, Nitin Puri, Richard Phillip Dellinger
• Journal: Postgraduate medical journal (Postgrad Med J) Vol. 87 Issue 1029 Pg. 482-6 (Jul 2011) ISSN: 1469-0756 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21565878 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Airway Obstruction (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Bronchial Diseases (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Exhalation (physiology)
• Forced Expiratory Flow Rates
• Humans
• Terminology as Topic
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed (methods)
• Tracheal Diseases (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Tracheobronchomalacia (diagnosis, physiopathology)