Schematic representation of tracheal occlusion (TO) for severe CDH

TO occludes trachea preventing normal egress of lung fluid, resulting in increased lung stretch and accelerated lung growth.

CDH: congenital diaphragmatic hernia; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; IGF: insulin-like growth factor; TGF beta 2: transforming growth factor-beta 2.

Courtesy of Holly L Hedrick, MD.