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Prediction of lung disease in children with laryngotracheoesophageal clefts
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  • Hosfield EA,
  • Patten HC,
  • Hopson PE,
  • Shelagh Cofer,
  • Wiedermann JP,
  • Richard Boesch
Hosfield EA
Mayo Clinic Department of Neurology
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Patten HC
Mayo Clinic Department of Neurology
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Hopson PE
Mayo Clinic Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
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Shelagh Cofer
Mayo Clinic Minnesota
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Wiedermann JP
Mayo Clinic Minnesota
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Richard Boesch
Mayo Clinic Minnesota

Corresponding Author:boesch.paul@mayo.edu

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Abstract

Introduction: Laryngotracheoesophageal clefts (LTEC) are well-known aspiration-associated lesions. Results of swallow studies, and respiratory, feeding, and swallowing symptoms are commonly used indications for repair, despite being unclear predictors of disease. Although lung inflammation and injury are primary concerns, such findings are uncommonly and inconsistently evaluated and reported and therefore it remains unclear how well swallow studies predict lung disease. Methods: Children seen in our Aerodigestive program 10/1/2012 and 9/30/2023, with a LTEC and a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) were included. Data regarding clinical history and risk factors, BAL, chest CT, and impedance probe results were abstracted, along with VFSS/FEES results and functional oral intake scale (FOIS-P/I) at baseline and follow-up. Results: 82 subjects identified. Lung inflammation and bronchiectasis were common and correlated. Clinical factors, impedance probe, and the presence/severity of swallowing abnormalities on VFSS/FEES were not predictive of lung disease. 57 patients underwent LTEC repair for a range of indications, only 49% based on CT and/or BAL findings. LTEC repair was associated with a trend towards improvement feeding and swallowing, yet none of these met statistical significance. Discussion: Children with LTEC have a high prevalence of inflammatory lung disease and injury and undergo repair for a variety of reasons. The insufficient ability of swallow study to identify patients with lung disease suggests that such studies identify functional abnormalities but not a disease state, per se. Nevertheless, LTEC repair is associated with improvements in feeding and swallowing in a subset of patients.
22 Nov 2024Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
27 Nov 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Nov 2024Submission Checks Completed
27 Nov 2024Assigned to Editor
02 Jan 2025Reviewer(s) Assigned