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An unusual cause for recurrent chest infections
Ronstan Lobo1, Eithne M T Mulloy
1Department of Medicine, St. John's Hospital, Limerick City, Limerick, Ireland. doctorrlobo@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|October 13, 2012
Summary
Tracheopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare condition often misdiagnosed as COPD. This case highlights TO
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
- Rare Diseases
Background:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lower respiratory tract infections are common causes of recurrent respiratory symptoms.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management and treatment.
Observation:
- An elderly, non-smoking male presented with recurrent shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and sputum.
- Initial diagnoses included COPD exacerbations and respiratory infections, leading to multiple hospital admissions.
- Bronchoscopy revealed hard nodules in the trachea and bronchi, confirmed as tracheopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) via biopsy.
Findings:
- Tracheopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) can present with symptoms mimicking COPD.
- The condition led to recurrent, difficult-to-treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas infections.
- Progressive respiratory distress and failure ultimately occurred despite extensive antibiotic treatment.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering rare conditions like TO in patients with persistent respiratory symptoms.
- Emphasizes the diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in differentiating TO from COPD.
- Underscores the need for thorough investigation beyond typical respiratory diagnoses to improve patient outcomes.
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