[Tracheal dyskinesia (tracheomalacia) in infants and children. Study of 127 cases diagnosed through endoscopic examination (author's transl)]

127 cases of tracheal dyskinesia were seen in infants and children out of which 87 were 1 to 12 months of age. The diagnosis was based on the existence of a collapse reducing the tracheal diameter of more than 50% on endoscopy. Endoscopic examination was performed without general anesthesia. This material represents 5,8% of the patients submitted to this procedure. 85 patients had "primitive" dyskinesia and 42 had major associated abnormalities. Uni or bilateral bronchial dyskinesia was associated in 43% of the cases. The four commonest presenting symptoms were a stridulous or wheezing respiration, recurrent bronchitis, chronic cough, cyanosis. The frequency of associated digestive troubles: gastroesophageal reflux aspiration was noteworthy. Several functional consequences were encountered: hypoxemia, hypercapnia, abnormalities of FRC, increased RL, lowering of dynamic compliance, alterations of perfusion and ventilation on scintiscans. The prognosis was good in primitive cases. Two deaths occurred, in the group with associated abnormalities. The pattern of the patient with primitive dyskinesia and that of the patient with dyskinesia and associated abnormalities are outlined. Some features remarkable in this series of patients are pointed out in a discussion of the pathophysiology of the syndrome. Increased transmural pressure is not a common cause of tracheal dyskinesia and infection as well. The possibility of a temporary intrinsic anomaly of the tracheal wall is suggested. Even if its exact mechanism remains unknown, tracheal dyskinesia is a distinct entity observed in infants and children. It appears as a common cause of recurrent bronchopulmonary disease in the young.