Paratracheal air collection in a trauma patient: a case report

The presence of a paratracheal air collection in the setting of acute trauma may indicate a wide array of etiologies. When a paratracheal air collection is found in a trauma patient, the possibility of tracheal or esophageal rupture must be considered. Tracheal diverticulae are most frequently found incidentally during autopsy, with an incidence of approximately 1%. We present a case of an incidental tracheal diverticulum in a patient with a recent history of motor vehicle accident with chest and neck trauma.