Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is an under-recognized cause of shortness of breath, recurrent respiratory infections and chronic coughing. It involves collapse of the main airways, due to a weakness of the cartilage and/or floppiness of the posterior membranous wall. Most cases of TBM are acquired, but the cause remains largely unknown, even though gastroesophageal reflux disease may be a contributing factor. Patients with TBM often have comorbidities, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), making it harder to recognize airway collapse as a contributing factor to their symptoms. In fact, inappropriate treatment for these pulmonary conditions may precede eventual recognition of TBM by months or years.
Diagnosis of TBM is made by airway computed tomography scan and flexible bronchoscopy under conscious sedation. The management of TBM mainly involves optimization of medical therapy. Surgical stabilization of the airway by posterior splinting (tracheobronchoplasty) effectively and permanently corrects collapsed airways, in a carefully selected subset of patients with TBM. Proper surgical selection can be preceded by a short-term airway stent trial.
The activity will inform physicians and advanced practitioners about the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of TBM, from diagnosis to treatment. We emphasize the need of reserving surgery to severely symptomatic patients who fail medical therapy, and the importance of objective long-term follow-up of this challenging condition.
Pulmonologists; Critical Care Specialists; Thoracic Surgeons, Radiologists, Internal Medicine and Primary Care Physicians; Physician Assistants; Advanced Practice Nurses; and Nurse Practitioners.
In this course, you will learn how to:
Charles Bakhos, MD, MBA, MS, FACS
Professor of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Temple University Hospital
Maruti K. Kumaran, MD, FRCR
Associate Professor, Radiology
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Temple University Hospital
Educational Presentation (52.5 minutes)
Post Test, Evaluation & Certificate delivery (15 minutes)
Total Activity: (67.5 minutes)
Release Date: November 7, 2022
Expiration Date: November 7, 2024
It is the policy of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, The Albert J. Finestone, M.D., Office for Continuing Medical Education that anyone in a position to control the content of a certified educational activity must disclose any financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) defines ineligible companies as “those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.” Speakers must also disclose discussions of unlabeled/ unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentations. The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University has policies in place that will identify and mitigate all conflicts of interest prior to the educational activity. Detailed disclosure will be communicated to learners prior to the activity.
The faculty disclosed the following financial relationships with ineligible companies related to the content of this educational activity.
Charles Bakhos, MD, MBA, MS, FACS
• Nothing to disclose
Maruti K. Kumaran, MD, FRCR
• Nothing to disclose
None of the faculty for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies.
The course directors, planners, reviewers, and managers/CME staff disclosed the following financial relationships with ineligible companies related to the content of this educational activity:
Charles Bakhos, MD, MBA, MS, FACS (Planner and Faculty)
• Nothing to disclose
Joseph Friedberg, MD, FACS (Reviewer)
• Nothing to disclose
Amanda Snider (Manager)
• Nothing to disclose
Arnold I. Meyer, Ed.D, FACEHP (Planner and CME Staff)
• Nothing to disclose
Katrina Ilagan (CME Staff)
• Nothing to disclose
*None of the course directors, planners, reviewers, and managers/CME staff for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies.
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide Continuing Medical Education for physicians.
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Attendees are expected to view all presentations before attempting to take the test and/or complete the activity evaluation. Successful completion will lead to the issuance of a certificate for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. To receive credit, the course must be completed between November 7, 2022 - November 7, 2024.
Participation in this activity should be completed in approximately 1.0 hour(s). Please follow these steps in order to receive CME/CE credit for viewing the webcast:
• Read all of the CME/CE accreditation information above.
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