Plastic Bronchitis: Extensive Cast Expectoration in a 6-Year-Old Boy with Fontan Circulation

Abstract

We report on a 6-year-old boy with underlying hypoplastic left heart syndrome and a total cavopulmonary connection (Fontan circulation) with a diagnosis of plastic bronchitis. After an initial good response to therapy, his productive cough became significantly stronger again. Four months later, the patient’s mother brought a preserving jar containing an extensive bronchial cast to the clinic, the size of which is rarely seen in small children. Plastic bronchitis is a rare but dreaded complication in patients with Fontan circulation as well as in infectious or inflammatory diseases; its treatment is challenging.