RESUMO
Esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare birth defect in which respiratory tract disorders are a major cause of morbidity. It remains unclear whether respiratory tract disorders are in part caused by alterations in airway epithelial cell functions such as the activity of motile cilia. This can be studied using airway epithelial cell culture models of patients with EA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility to culture and functionally characterize motile cilia function in the differentiated air-liquid interface cultured airway epithelial cells and 3D organoids derived from nasal brushings and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from children with EA. We demonstrate the feasibility of culturing differentiated airway epithelia and organoids of nasal brushings and BAL fluid of children with EA, which display normal motile cilia function. EA patient-derived airway epithelial cultures can be further used to examine whether alterations in epithelial functions contribute to respiratory disorders in EA.
RESUMO
Bronchus suis, also known as tracheal bronchus, is a rare congenital anatomic variant in which an aberrant bronchus develops above the carina. Often asymptomatic, bronchus suis may be detected during imaging or manipulation of the airway. Here we describe a case where bronchus suis was visualized by fiberoptic bronchoscopy performed intraoperatively for the evaluation of desaturation and management of endotracheal secretions. It is important for anesthesiologists to consider the possibility of tracheal bronchus in patients with acute respiratory compromise.