Tracheobronchomalacia and Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse

Tracheobronchomalacia and excessive dynamic airway collapse are morphologic types of expiratory central airway collapse with specific pathophysiology, cause, and structural changes in airway wall. Physicians caring for symptomatic patients with expiratory central airway collapse must localize the flow-limiting airway segments amenable to bronchoscopic or surgical interventions. Functional bronchoscopy and dynamic radiologic studies are performed for the initial evaluation and to design follow-up strategies. Research is needed to determine noninvasive and reliable physiologic methods for localizing the flow-limiting segments that might guide patient selection for treatment and predict response to interventions.