[Tracheobronchomegaly: a report of 3 cases and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of tracheobronchomegaly (TBM, Mounier-Kuhn syndrome). METHODS: The clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of 3 cases of TBM were analyzed, and the literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: All 3 patients were men, between the age of 58 - 71 years old. From the onset to diagnosis, the shortest time was 2 months, and the longest 43 years. The most usual presentations included recurrent cough and sputum, and occasional haemoptysis. In the advanced stage of the disease, patients would present shortness of breath and the symptoms associated with respiratory failure because of the reduction in pulmonary function. All the diagnoses were confirmed by X-ray and CT of the chest finding that the trachea and the main bronchi dilated markedly. After anti-infection treatment, all patients recovered. Mounier-Kuhn syndrome was a rare congenital abnormality characterized by atrophy or absence of elastic fibers and thinning of smooth muscle layer in the trachea and main bronchi. These airways were thus flaccid and markedly dilated on inspiration and collapsed on expiration. The usual presentation was recurrent respiratory tract infections with a broad spectrum of functional impairment ranging from minimal disease with preservation of lung function to severe disease in the form of bronchiectasis, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis, ultimately culminating in respiratory failure and death. Computed tomography scan of the chest was used for the diagnosis. Treatment was mainly supportive with chest physiotherapy and antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Mounier-Kunh syndrome should be suspected in patient with recurrent respiratory infections and chronic sputum production. A careful analysis of the central airways at the chest radiograph of these patients is required.

Volume Measurement in the Diagnosis of Mounier Kuhn Syndrome and an Unknown Accompanying Pathology: Pulmonary Artery Enlargement.

BACKGROUND: Mounier Kuhn Syndrome (MKS) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by abnormal dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi. The aim of this study is to discuss tracheal volume measurement in MKS, and the pathologies accompanying MKS, especially pulmonary artery enlargement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 38 patients, 18 of whom were diagnosed with MKS and 20 as control group, were included in the study. Trachea volume and pulmonary artery diameter were measured through thorax-computed tomography (CT) images of the patients. Accompanying pathologies were recorded. RESULTS: In the measurements done through the CT scans, the trachea volume was found to be 25.45 cm3 in the control group and 44.17 cm3 in the patient group. The most frequent accompanying pathologies were tracheal diverticulum, bronchiectasis and pulmonary artery enlargement. CONCLUSION: In patients with MKS, there is a significant difference in volume calculation as in trachea diameter. Though bronchiectasis and tracheal diverticulum are known as pathologies most frequently accompanying MKS, to the knowledge of the researchers, pulmonary artery enlargement due to the increase in pulmonary truncus diameter was first emphasized in this article.

Tracheal enlargement or Mounier-Kuhn syndrome in giant cell arteritis: a possible causal association with therapeutic implications.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis with rarely described respiratory initial manifestations. We report such a case presenting with hoarseness, stridor, cough and dyspnea, in which a tracheomegaly with tracheomalacia was found. No signs of relapsing polychondritis were present. The respiratory symptoms rapidly improved after glucocorticoids and Azathioprine. Tracheomegaly or Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is characterized by marked dilatation of trachea and central bronchi. The differential diagnosis and the possible relationship between tracheomegaly and GCA involving metalloproteinase-induced elastolysis are discussed. This is the first case, to our knowledge, of Mounier-Kuhn syndrome in vasculitis. The association of tracheomegaly with GCA may be underestimated, as the diagnosis is not always obvious on conventional radiographs. A tracheal enlargement finding in GCA requires monitoring to ensure early detection and prevention of spontaneous tracheal rupture. Adding a metalloproteinase inhibitor like Doxycycline to GCA therapy would be rational for the prophylaxis of complications.

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (tracheobronchomegaly): An analysis of eleven cases.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (MKS) is a congenital disorder characterized by tracheobronchomegaly resulting from the absence of elastic fibers in the trachea and main bronchi or atrophy and thinning of the smooth muscle layer. In this syndrome, dead space associated with tracheobronchomegaly increases and discharge of secretions decreases because of ineffective coughing. The most common complications are recurrent lower respiratory tract infections and bronchiectasis. We examined the clinical characteristics, radiological features, and related complications of patients with MKS. METHODS: The cases were obtained between September 2007 and November 2015. Computed tomography scans of the chest were used to diagnose tracheobronchomegaly. RESULTS: All cases (a total of 11) were males with a mean age of 63 ± 13 (range, 38-80) years. The mean diameter of the trachea was 31.53 ± 2.99 mm; the mean transverse diameter was 31.69 ± 3.10 mm and the mean sagittal diameter was 31.36 ± 3.01 mm. Complaints at the time of presentation included chronic cough, purulent sputum, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. There were recurrent pulmonary infections in seven cases, bronchiectasis in six, and tracheal diverticulum in four at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this article, 11 cases with various rarely seen complications are presented and evaluated in the light of current literature. We recommend that if chronic cough, recurrent pulmonary infections, and bronchiectasis seen in a patient, MKS should be kept in mind.

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome: a systematic analysis of 128 cases published within last 25 years.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is a rare disease with abnormal enlargement of major airways, but epidemiological studies are lacking, and currently the most available data about it come from case reports, making it difficult to collate changes in a particular patient to those in previously published cases. The aim of this work is to systematically review cases published in the last 25 years and to use descriptive statistics to summarize the patient demographic and clinical information therein in order to acquire details about patient clinical characteristics. METHODS: Cases published in world literature between 1987 and 2013 were sought and reviewed according to PRISMA guidelines. Cases were included only if patient's age was at least 18 years, and a computed tomography scan with tracheal measurements was available. RESULTS: An 8:1 male predominance was found in 89 identified reports (128 cases). Mean age was 53.9 years, and average tracheal diameter was 36.1 mm. No correlation between increasing age and increasing tracheal diameter was found. Bronchiectasis, tracheal diverticulosis and tracheobronchial dyskinesia were common (49.2%, 33.6% and 28.9%, respectively). Cough, dyspnea and recurrent respiratory infections (71.1%, 51.6% and 50.8%, respectively) were the most common complaints. CONCLUSIONS: The data confirm that syndrome mostly manifests with nonspecific respiratory symptoms and is significantly more common in males. Importantly, there was no connection between age and airway diameter, a fact that could mean that the enlargement does not progress over time, and its severity depends on some other yet undetermined factors.

Tracheobronchomegaly: clinical aspects and radiological features.

Tracheobronchomegaly is a rare--probably congenital--disorder. Its clinical appearance is non-specific. The diagnosis is made by radiological methods. This paper describes the typical features in early and advanced stages and outlines the diagnostic approach.

Congenital tracheobronchomegaly (Mounier-Kuhn syndrome): a report of 10 cases and review of the literature.

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is a congenital abnormality of the trachea and main bronchi characterized by atrophy or absence of elastic fibers and thinning of muscle, which allows the trachea and main bronchi to become flaccid and markedly dilated on inspiration with narrowing or collapse on expiration or cough. The abnormal airway dynamics and pooling of secretions in broad outpouchings of redundant musculomembranous tissue between the cartilaginous rings predispose to the development of chronic pulmonary suppuration, bronchiectasis, emphysema, and pulmonary fibrosis. A broad spectrum of clinical abnormalities has been documented in Mounier-Kuhn syndrome, ranging from minimal disease with good preservation of pulmonary function to progressive disease leading to respiratory failure and death. In the appropriate clinical setting, Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is diagnosed in women from chest radiographs when the transverse and sagittal diameters of the trachea exceed 21 mm and 23 mm, respectively, and when the transverse diameters of the right and left main bronchi exceed 19.8 mm and 17.4 mm, respectively. In men it is diagnosed when the transverse and sagittal diameters of the trachea exceed 25 mm and 27 mm, respectively, and when the transverse diameters of the right and left main bronchi exceed 21.1 mm and 18.4 mm, respectively. The diagnosis can be confirmed easily by computed tomography.

[Tracheobronchomegaly associated with light chain deposition disease]. / Traqueobroncomegalia asociada a enfermedad por depósito de cadenas ligeras.

Tracheobronchomegaly, also known as Mounier-Kühn's Syndrome, is characterized by market dilation of the trachea and main bronchi and has been reported in association with several conditions, particularly connective tissue disease. The pathogenesis and clinical signs of light chain deposition disease are similar to those of light chain amyloidosis, in which these chains are deposited as amorphous material lacking the tinctorial features of the amyloid. We present a case involving both entities, an association that has not been previously reported, and we review the main characteristics of both diseases.

Tracheobronchomegaly associated tracheomalacia: analysis by sleep study.

Tracheobronchomegaly (TBM) occasionally may progress to extensive tracheomalacia which leads to respiratory failure. Spirometry, dynamic expiratory multidetector computed tomography (CT), bronchoscopy are used to diagnose patients of suspected tracheobronchomalacia. We used the technique of night-time monitoring of respiratory variables to show the presence of respiratory abnormalities during sleep and which was corrected by applying nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The study showed the presence of both apnoea and hypopnoeas, which were obstructive in nature with an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) of 11, no snoring and associated oxygen desaturation of 75 per cent. A second overnight study with nasal continuous positive airway pressure at a critical pressure of 8 cm, the AHI decreased to 3 along with no drop in oxygen saturation. This non-invasive technique should be considered as a diagnostic tool in tracheobronchomalacia and to know the outcome of CPAP, surgical or stent therapy in this condition.

[A case of tracheobronchomegaly].

We report a rare case of tracheobronchomegaly with crescent-type tracheobronchomalacia. A 77-year-old man with a chronic cough was referred to our hospital because of fever and dyspnea. Radiographic examination showed enlargement of the trachea and main bronchi. On chest radiography, the transverse diameter of the trachea was 31 mm, and consolidation shadows were seen in both upper lung fields. Tracheobronchomegaly with pneumonia was diagnosed. The pneumonia was improved by administration of PAPM/BP. On bronchoscopic examination, the trachea and main bronchi were extremely dilated on inspiration, and were collapsed on expiration. The biopsy specimen from the bronchial mucosa showed non-specific chronic inflammation.

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome.

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome or congenital tracheobronchomegaly is a rare clinical and radiologic condition. It is characterized by a tracheal and bronchial dilation. Fewer than 100 cases have been reported in the medical literature since the original description in 1932. The first utilization of bronchoscopy for diagnosis of this condition was recorded by Lemoine only in 1949. The cause of this condition is not clearly understood; however, histopathologic findings of atrophy of smooth muscles and elastic tissue in the trachea and main bronchi have been observed. Tracheobronchomegaly can be associated with tracheal and bronchial diverticuli.

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome or congenital tracheobronchomegaly: a literature review.

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome or congenital tracheobronchomegaly is a chronic airway condition which for currently unknown reasons mostly affects males. It is commonly overlooked on conventional chest X-rays, and is considered to be rare, but the prevalence might be higher as commonly assumed. The hallmark of it is a dilatation of the main airways which frequently, but not always, causes marked, mainly respiratory, symptoms, and patients usually present with varying degrees of recurrent infections, breathlessness, haemoptysis, dyspnoea. Although at least 200 case reports have been published, there have been only a few attempts to review them, and none in the last 20 years. Due to the lack of clinical trials and wide variability of case-report format, a systematic review was deemed not feasible, therefore PubMed and Medline databases were searched using terms "Mounier-Kuhn syndrome", "tracheobronchomegaly", "tracheomegaly", and "bronchomegaly", without any time restrictions, to summarize currently known facts about the syndrome. To the authors' best knowledge, the result is currently the most comprehensive review of previously published literature about the congenital tracheobronchomegaly, and summarizes what's known about symptoms, prevalence, disease associations, and treatment options for this syndrome.

Traqueobroncomegalia: a propósito de un caso clínico-radiológico / Tracheobronchomegaly: a case report

Tracheobronchomegaly corresponds to the anomalous diffuse dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi, usually accompanied by bronchiectasis, which predisposes to recurrent infections. The imaging study is essential to recognize this entity. A case of a 40-year-old woman, with suspicion of bronchial asthma is presented. Imaging study and bronchofiberscopy confirmed the diagnosis of tracheobronchomegaly in this patient.

La traqueobroncomegalia corresponde a la dilatación anómala y difusa de la tráquea y bronquios principales, acompañado habitualmente de bronquiectasias, lo que predispone a infecciones recurrentes. El estudio radiológico resulta fundamental para reconocer esta entidad. Se presenta un caso de una mujer de 40 años en estudio por sospecha de asma bronquial en que el estudio de imágenes (Rx y TAC) y lafibrobroncoscopia confirmó el diagnóstico de traqueobroncomegalia.

Tracheobronchomegaly--the Mounier-Kuhn syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Tracheobronchomegaly (TBM) is a rare disorder of uncertain aetiology, characterized by marked dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi, bronchiectasis and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Two patients with TBM are presented. In one case, a marked decrease of elastic and smooth muscle tissue was present in the bronchial biopsy specimens, obtained by rigid bronchoscopy. The airways of the second patient were visualized using computed tomography. The dimensions of the airways of our patients are compared with the normal values supplied in the literature.

Tracheobronchomegaly: an unusual presentation of a rare condition.

Tracheobronchomegaly is a rare cause of recurrent chest infections often with persistent, unproductive cough. A case is described which presented as a severe life threatening pneumonia in which the bronchoscopic, radiographic, and computed tomographic findings are given.