[Tracheocele: a rare cause of pharyngeal disorders]

A 40-year-old woman with an uneventful history consulted for an episode of cervical swelling and pharyngeal disorders with sensation of a foreign body. Cervical and ENT examination was normal. The barium swallow showed a normal esophagus and the CT scan showed an air image in the right side of the trachea. The diagnosis of tracheocele was made at surgery and was confirmed by histology. Clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic outcome was favorable three months after surgical resection of the diverticulum. Tracheocele is rarely reported in the literature. It results from a congenital or acquired weakness of the tracheal wall. The right side is involved more frequently. No specific signs or symptoms have been identified. Diagnosis is often based on CT findings. Surgery confirms the diagnosis and allows resection.