Airway obstruction secondary to tracheobronchial involvement of asymptomatic undiagnosed Crohn's disease in a pediatric patient

Abstract

Tracheal involvement in Crohn's disease is extremely rare and can present with airway obstruction in any age group, including the pediatric patient. We describe the case of a 9-year-old female who presented with a 2-week history of intermittent stridor, resolving temporarily with the administration of systemic steroids. The patient denied any abdominal complaints and was otherwise healthy. Bronchoscopy revealed progressive tracheal inflammation necessitating an urgent tracheotomy. Subsequent laboratory investigation confirmed the diagnosis of Crohn's disease. This is the first reported case of previously undiagnosed Crohn's disease presenting with airway manifestations.