[Congenital diverticulum of the tracheal carina in neonates. A case report]

A 17 day-old neonate with no history of broncho-pulmonary disease presented with a severe respiratory distress which was found to be related to a congenital tracheal diverticulum. An excision of the diverticulum was performed. Histologically it was characterized by a lining wall of stratified columnar ciliated epithelium and the presence of smooth muscle and cartilage in the wall. This rare entity was reported only once in the pediatric literature. It gives a history of chronic respiratory tract infections or acute respiratory distress. Bronchoscopy or bronchography and CT scan are necessary for the diagnosis. The treatment is surgical.