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Spontaneous tracheal rupture after severe coughing in a 7-year-old boy
1Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Pungnap-dong 388-1, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, Korea. rohjl@amc.seoul.kr
Insights
This is the first reported pediatric case of spontaneous tracheal rupture in a child, occurring after severe coughing. Conservative management led to resolution without major complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Respiratory Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Tracheal lacerations are rare, life-threatening injuries often linked to trauma or intubation complications.
- Spontaneous tracheal rupture is exceptionally uncommon, with no prior pediatric cases documented.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old boy with acute tracheobronchitis experienced a spontaneous longitudinal laceration of the posterior membranous cervical trachea after violent coughing.
- Early detection was achieved through endoscopic examination and computed tomography (CT).
Findings:
- The tracheal rupture and associated emphysema were minor.
- The condition resolved successfully with conservative management, avoiding major complications.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of spontaneous tracheal rupture in pediatric patients.
- Highlights the importance of early diagnosis and conservative treatment for pediatric tracheal injuries.
Abstract:
Tracheal lacerations are rare but potentially life-threatening. They are recognized sequelae of cervical or thoracic injuries or complications of endotracheal intubation. Spontaneous tracheal rupture is extremely uncommon and has not been reported in a pediatric patient. This report is the first pediatric case of a spontaneous longitudinal laceration of the posterior membranous cervical trachea, which occurred after violent coughing in a 7-year-old boy with acute tracheobronchitis. The tracheal rupture was detected early with an endoscopic examination and computed tomography. The rupture and emphysema were small, with no major complications, and disappeared with conservative management. This rare case is presented with a review of the possible mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment.
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