Tracheobronchomegaly Presenting as Tracheomalacia: A Case Report

Abstract

Tracheobronchomegaly, also called Mounier-Kuhn syndrome, is a rare congenital condition characterized by a dilated trachea and main bronchi. It often presents recurrent pulmonary infections, tracheal diverticulosis, or bronchiectasis in the 3rd or 4th decade of life. Diagnosis is made by chest X-ray, bronchoscopy or chest computed tomography scan. Although approximately 100 cases have been reported, the true incidence remains unknown. Treatment includes airway hygiene, antibiotics, stent placement, and rarely, lung transplantation. Herein, we report the case of a patient with an early onset of air leakage through the peri-cuff space after intubation for head injury. He was treated as having tracheomalacia at first. Finally, tracheobronchomegaly, a rare cause of endotracheal tube air leakage, was confirmed after comprehensive study. (Thorac Med 2011; 26: 332-337)