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Dynamic computed tomography evaluation of tracheobronchomegaly
R H Goh1, J Dobranowski, L Kanaha
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, Ont.
Summary
Tracheobronchomegaly, a condition causing airway collapse during exhalation, was identified in a 62-year-old man with chronic cough. This airway collapse during expiration was determined to be the primary cause of his symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Tracheobronchomegaly, also known as Mounier-Kuhn syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by abnormal dilatation of the trachea and bronchi.
- Chronic expiratory cough can be indicative of various underlying respiratory pathologies, necessitating thorough diagnostic evaluation.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old male presented with a persistent chronic expiratory cough.
- Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed tracheal dilatation during inspiration.
- Crucially, CT demonstrated complete collapse of the trachea and proximal bronchi during full expiration.
Findings:
- The case highlights a significant dynamic airway collapse during expiration as a key feature of tracheobronchomegaly.
- This expiratory collapse directly correlates with the patient's symptomatic chronic cough.
Implications:
- Recognizing dynamic expiratory collapse on imaging is vital for diagnosing tracheobronchomegaly.
- Understanding this mechanism aids in explaining the pathophysiology of chronic cough in affected individuals.
- This case underscores the importance of expiratory imaging in evaluating patients with suspected airway disorders.