warfarin and Bronchial-Diseases

Topics: Anticoagulants; Bronchial Diseases; Calcinosis; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tracheal Diseases; Warfarin

Tracheobronchial calcifications are considered a rare radiologic finding in children. Our clinical experience indicates that this finding is not infrequently seen among children with prosthetic heart valves who have been treated with warfarin sodium.. We hypothesized that calcifications of the tracheobronchial tree are more common than previously reported in this patient population.. We reviewed the medical records and imaging studies of children who underwent cardiac valve replacement at our institution to estimate the prevalence.. Tracheobronchial calcifications were identified on chest radiographs in 6 out of 17 children (35%), indicating that this imaging finding might be frequently overlooked.. All children positive for tracheobronchial calcifications had been anticoagulated with warfarin sodium between the time of surgery and development of positive imaging findings. Our findings suggest that tracheobronchial calcifications are not uncommon in children treated with warfarin. Further investigation is necessary to determine wether there is a cause-effect relationship in these children.

Topics: Bronchial Diseases; Calcinosis; Child; Child, Preschool; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Infant; Male; Radiography; Tracheal Diseases; Warfarin

Calcification of the trachea and proximal bronchi is a common, normal finding on chest radiographs in the elderly population, especially in women. More extensive airway calcification is also a rare manifestation of many pathologic conditions. The authors report a case of pathologic tracheobronchial calcification associated with long-term warfarin therapy. Chest radiographs showed prominent, diffuse calcification of the tracheobronchial tree. Computed tomography showed extensive calcification of the airway walls, extending from the trachea to the lung periphery.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Aortic Valve; Bronchial Diseases; Calcinosis; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Male; Mitral Valve; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tracheal Diseases; Warfarin

Topics: Anticoagulants; Bronchial Diseases; Calcinosis; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tracheal Diseases; Warfarin

Tracheal calcification in children may be congenital or acquired. The authors describe three children in whom tracheal or tracheobronchial calcification was noted on radiographs after prosthetic mitral valve replacement and after long periods of warfarin sodium therapy. Laryngeal and tracheal calcification has been known to occur in warfarin embryopathy. This suggests that possibility of warfarin sodium as an etiologic factor in the development of the tracheal or tracheobronchial calcification in these children. However, further investigation is necessary.

Topics: Bronchial Diseases; Calcinosis; Child; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Mitral Valve; Radiography; Time Factors; Tracheal Diseases; Warfarin