Lumen imaging
With the FB visualization in the PLS, series of lumen images were taken along the course of dynamic changes with the inflation. In addition, associated anomaly or lesion if existed could also be detected along the different inflation courses of SPI. Simultaneously, took the lesion image at each plateau of PIP, at two assigned locations of oropharynx, and supra-larynx. All FB images and videos of SPI studies were stored.
For objective evaluation of the lumen changes, the four final captured lumen images of oropharynx and supra-larynx (including the lesions) each at different SPI mode were grouped and sent for evaluation. Their lumen expansion scores were judged independently on a five-point Likert scale (1 to 5: severe collapsed, collapsed, average, expanded, much expanded) within one week by five qualified pediatric pulmonologists who blinded to the sources of these image. The final scores were averaged and analyzed.
Data of patient demographics, PIP levels, expansion scores and images in the PLS were all collected for further analysis.