Tracheobronchiomegaly: report of two cases with widely differing symptomatology

Two cases of tracheobronchiomegaly are reported to call attention to this disease. Physicians must be mindful of this entity as another cause of recurring pneumonia which may be treatable. Various proposed etiologies for this syndrome are reviewed. The findings in and interpretation of our cases and those in the literature suggest that tracheobronchiomegaly is a congenital anomaly differing from others of the tracheobronchial tree because of its spectacular radiological appearance. The two following cases typify different presentations of this syndrome. One is largely asymptomatic; the other demonstrates super-infection of stagnant secretions, making the patient functionally bronchiectacic with progressive suppurative pulmonary destruction. The authors believe that aggressive management designed to mobilize airway secretions is indicated. There is usually no place for surgery in this disease beyond establishing the diagnosis.