Osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy: Four case reports. / Traqueobroncopatía osteocondroplástica: reporte de cuatro casos clínicos.

Introduction: Osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy is a rare benign chronic disease of unknown etiology. Bronchoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy. Its typical findings are described as a cobblestone, rock garden, mountainscape, or stalactite cave appearance. The present work aims to show the main clinical features of this rare pathology. Clinical cases: The clinical data of four middle-aged patients, three men and one woman, were analyzed. The main clinical symptoms were chronic cough, dyspnea, and dysphonia. The patient's preliminary diagnosis was made by computed axial tomography of the chest, confirmed by bronchoscopy and histopathological examination. Treatment included medication for symptoms and, in one case, cryosurgery and argon plasma coagulation. Discussion: Diagnosing osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy was not easy, given its uncommon nature and non-specific symptoms often found in other pathologies. No case series articles on this pathology have been published in Peru. Therefore, we used the original articles published in other countries to reference our findings. Conclusion: Osteochondroplastic tracheopathy is a benign disease that typically affects adults. Men are more likely to be affected. Its clinical manifestations are non-specific and frequently of pharyngeal origin, and the cause is not yet defined. Chest computed axial tomography combined with bronchoscopy are the main diagnostic procedures. There is no standard treatment with consistent therapeutic effects.

Introducción: La traqueobroncopatía osteocondroplástica es una rara enfermedad crónica benigna de etiología desconocida. La broncoscopía sigue siendo el estándar de oro para el reconocimiento de traqueopatía osteocondroplástica. Sus hallazgos típicos se describen como un empedrado, un jardín de rocas, una apariencia de paisaje montañoso o de una cueva con estalactitas. El objetivo del presente trabajo es mostrar las principales características clínicas de una patología poco conocida. Casos clínicos: Se analizaron los datos clínicos de cuatro pacientes de mediana edad, tres fueron hombres y una mujer. Los principales síntomas clínicos fueron tos crónica, disnea, disfonía. Los pacientes tuvieron un diagnóstico preliminar mediante tomografía axial computarizada de tórax, confirmado por examen video broncoscópico e histopatológico. El tratamiento incluyó medicamentos para los síntomas y en un solo caso criocirugía y coagulación con argón plasma. Discusión: El diagnóstico de traqueobroncopatía osteocondroplástica no fue sencillo por ser una entidad rara, cuyos síntomas son inespecíficos y muy frecuentes en otras patologías. En Perú no se han publicado artículos de serie de casos sobre esta patología. Por lo tanto, tomamos como referencia artículos originales publicados en otros países para compararlos con nuestros hallazgos. Conclusión: La traqueopatía osteocondroplástica es una enfermedad benigna que predispone a los adultos, los hombres tienen más probabilidades de verse afectados. Sus manifestaciones clínicas son inespecíficas; frecuentemente de origen faríngeo y la causa no está aún definida. La tomografía axial computarizada de tórax combinada con video broncoscopía son los principales procedimientos para el diagnóstico. No existe un estándar de tratamiento con efectos terapéuticos consistentes.

Tracheomediastinal fistula induced by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in small cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review.

Tracheomediastinal fistula is a rare but life-threatening complication of cancer. We report a case of tracheomediastinal fistula induced by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in limited stage small cell lung cancer. Despite the treatment response, the metastatic paratracheal lymph node increased gradually during concurrent chemoradiotherapy, resulting in the occurrence of tracheomediastinal fistula and mediastinitis. Without any surgical intervention, the patient achieved successful recovery from mediastinitis through antibiotic treatment, although the tracheomediastinal fistula remained open. In this report, we also review previous studies of tracheomediastinal and bronchomediastinal fistulas and summarize the clinical features.

Implementation and Results of a Dedicated Telemedicine Program (TeleTrachea) for Patients with Tracheal Diseases.

Background: Central airway diseases requiring frequent outpatient visits to a specialized medical center due to tracheal devices. Many of these patients have mobility and cognition restrictions or require specialized transport due to the need for supplemental oxygen. This study describes the implementation and results of a telemedicine program dedicated to patients with central airway diseases based in a Brazilian public health system. Methods: A retrospective study of telemedicine consultation for patients with central airway diseases referred to a public academic hospital between August 1, 2020 and August 1, 2022. The consultations occurred in a telemedicine department using the hospital's proprietary platform. Data retrieved consisted of demographics, disease characteristics, and the treatment modalities of the patients. The analysis included the savings in kilometers not traveled, the carbon footprint based on reducing CO2 emissions, and the cost savings in transportation. Results: A total of 1,153 telemedicine visits conducted in 516 patients (median age of 31.5 years). Two hundred ninety patients (56.2%) had a tracheal device (129 silicone T-Tube, 128 tracheostomy, and 33 endoprosthesis) and 159 patients (30.8%) had difficulties in transportation to the specialized medical center. Patients were served from 147 Brazilian cities from 22 states. The savings in kilometers traveled was 1,224,108.54 km, corresponding to a 250.14 ton reduction in CO2 emissions. The costs savings in transportation for the municipalities was BRL$ 1,272,283.78. Conclusions: Telemedicine consultations for patients with central airway diseases are feasible and safe. Cost savings and the possibility of disseminating specialized care make telemedicine a fundamental tool in current medical practice.

Positional relationships between a tracheal diverticulum and the tracheal tube under general anesthesia: a single-center observational and simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete sealing of tracheal diverticula by a tracheal tube cuff during positive-pressure ventilation causes barotrauma but the concrete possibility of incomplete sealing has not been indicated. We aimed to assess the possibility of incomplete sealing in a simulated situation of tracheal intubation for patients with tracheal diverticula with tube fixation where the tracheal tube's vocal cord guide overlaps with the patient's vocal cord. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the characteristics of tracheal diverticula based on thoracic computed tomography data in our institution from January 2018 to July 2020. Then, we assessed the structural parameters of three single-lumen tracheal tubes (Parker Flex-Tip [Parker Medical, Bridgewater, CT, USA], Portex Soft Seal [ICU Medical, San Clemente, CA, USA], and Shiley TaperGuard [Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland]; 6.0-8.0 mm inner diameter size) and simulated the positional relationships between tracheal diverticula and the tracheal tube during tracheal intubation where the vocal cord guide overlaps with the patient's vocal cord. We assessed each tube product's possibility of incompletely sealing tracheal diverticula and the possibility of unintended bronchial intubation. RESULTS: In 5,854 patients, the prevalence of tracheal diverticula was 5.7%. The mean (SD) length from the vocal cord to the distal end of the tracheal diverticula was 52.2 (12.8) mm. Tracheal tubes with length from the distal end of the tracheal cuff to the vocal cord guide of ≥ 70 mm had a low risk of incompletely sealing tracheal diverticula (< 5%) and length from the distal end of the tube to the vocal cord guide of ≤ 95 mm had a low risk of unintended bronchial intubation (< 5%). No products in this study satisfied both outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Tube fixation, where the vocal cord guide overlaps with the patient's vocal cord, is associated with risk of incompletely sealing of tracheal diverticula depending on the tube's manufacturer and tube's inner diameter size, although it was not a high risk. The use of small inner diameter sized tube relative to patient's body size is high risk of incomplete sealing of tracheal diverticula. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was prospectively registered at University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN). CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER AND REGISTRY URL: UMIN000043317 (URL: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000048055 ).

An unusual cause for globus sensation: infected tracheal diverticulum with abscess formation.

CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old woman presented with a 3-week history of globus sensation and malaise. A computed tomography scan of her neck showed a large right paratracheal abscess secondary to an infected tracheal diverticulum. The patient was admitted under the ENT surgical team, and underwent incision and drainage of the abscess. There were no post-operative complications and she was discharged home after 2 days, on oral antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that a tracheal diverticulum may become infected and present as a cervical abscess. To our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case in the international literature of abscess formation related to an infected tracheal diverticulum.

Long-term outcomes of tracheal stents removal under fluoroscopy guidance: comparison of tracheal fistulas and tracheal stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic removal is the most common method for removal of tracheal stents. Few studies have reported the technique of fluoroscopy-guided stent removal for tracheal fistula and tracheal stenosis. We aimed to study the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopy-guided stent removal as well as the optimal duration for stent usage. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 152 patients who underwent fluoroscopy-guided stent removal from January 2011 to June 2017. Reasons for stent implantation were tracheal fistula in 85 patients (TF group), and tracheal stenosis in 67 patients (TS group). All patients underwent tracheal CT scans before stent removal and during follow up. The technical success rate, complications, and survival rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The technical success rate of stent removal was 98.9 and 97.4%, respectively for the TF and TS group. Removal was routine for half of patients, and in the remainder, excessive granulation tissue was the common indications for stent removal, which was found after stenting at 142.1 ± 25.9 days in the TF group, and at 89.9 ± 15.0 day in the TS group. The total incidence of complications was 21.1 and 22.4%, respectively, for the TF and TS groups. Perioperative death occurred in one patient in the TF group, and two patients in the TS group. Recurrence of fistula or stenosis requiring re-stenting was the most comment complication in both groups. The 0.5-, 3-, 6-year survival rates were 90.3, 59.6, and 36.1% for TF group, and 80.4, 75.7, 75.7% for TS group. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoroscopic removal of tracheal stents is safe and effective for both tracheal fistula and tracheal stenosis, with no significant difference in outcomes. Clinicians should pay attention to the risk of hemoptysis for patients with malignant tumors and a combination with endoscopic hemostasis may help improve its safety.

Bronchoscopic Treatment of Tracheobronchial Fistula With Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma.

Tracheobronchial fistula (TBF) is a challenging management condition. Several bronchoscopic procedures have been tried for fistula closure. However, none has been found to be superior to the others. We herein describe a novel technique involving the submucosal injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (auto-PRP) around the fistula to close the TBF. After auto-PRP treatment, all 3 TBF patients have successfully healed. No treatment-related complications and fistula-related symptoms were detected. Thus, this application of auto-PRP for fistula closure is a feasible and cost-effective strategy and could be recommended as a valuable therapeutic alternative for repairing postoperative TBF.

Prevalence of tracheopulmonary myiasis amidst humans.

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation of live vertebrates with the dipteran larvae that grow within the host while feeding on its living or dead tissue. Human myiasis is prevalent among individuals in close association of domestic animals and those inhabiting the unhygienic conditions. Open neglected suppurative wounds are the favourable sites that attract and stimulate the gravid female flies for oviposition. However, the poor personal hygiene, ignorance and the mental illness further add to it. Tracheopulmonary myiasis involves the infestation of foul smelling nasal and oral orifices or neglected wounds like tracheostomal incisions with the parasitic dipteran larvae which may extend up to the trachea, bronchi and lungs leading to serious health complications. Despite the incidence of human tracheopulmonary infestation is rare, the severe medical impediments and heterogeneous worldwide distribution signify the medical importance of this condition. The present manuscript reviews and summarizes the worldwide reported cases of human tracheopulmonary myiasis and the predisposing risk factors for onset of the same, as future reference for parasitologists and medical professionals.

Clinical Characteristics of Six Cases of Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO). Methods: The clinical data of six patients with TO from November 2016 to November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of TO were summarized. Result: All six patients with TO were middle-aged males, confirmed by histopathological examination. The main clinical symptoms were cough, sputum, hemoptysis, chest pain, and repeated pulmonary infection. Some patients could make a preliminary diagnosis by chest CT, and bronchoscopy showed that TO mainly occurred in the trachea and the main bronchus and was more likely to invade the right bronchus. The treatment mainly includes anti-infection, phlegm-resolving, and other symptomatic treatment. Conclusion: TO is a benign disease predisposing to adults, and males are more likely to be affected. Its clinical manifestations are lack of specificity, and the cause may be related to chronic infection. Bronchoscopy combined with histopathological examination is the primary approach for the diagnosis of TO. There is no well-recognized treatment standard for TO, and the judgment of therapeutic effect is inconsistent. It is necessary to improve the understanding of this disease from a clinical perspective.

Case report of endoprosthesis -Y implantation in severe respiratory failure in the MPSII patient; comparison with literature data.

BACKGROUND: The tracheobronchomalacia is a life-threatening complication of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) without known effective, optimal treatment. The severe expiratory collapse of the trachea and bronchi is one of causes of the high rate of deaths in the course of airway impairment in MPSII patients. CASE PRESENTATION: Due to the adynamic tracheobronchomalacia despite of enzymatic treatment (ERT) in our MPSII patient, a life-saving tracheal bifurcated type-Y endoprosthesis (a self-expanding, metal stent for the prosthesis of tracheal and bronchial stenosis) was implanted. In the followed months, the breathing efficiency improved, but then gradual worsening, progression of bronchi occlusion at the stent border resulted in patient's death. CONCLUSION: The Y-stent implantation appears to be a short-term, life-saving solution without satisfactory long-term effects due to the progress of peripheral bronchomalacia and increased tissue proliferation and granulation, that arises during the illness' course.

Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica: Five Cases Report and Literature Review.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare disease. Here, we report 5 TO cases treated at our hospital. Bronchoscopy showed typical multiple firm and glossy nodules in all the 5 cases. Conservative treatment effectively alleviated the symptoms. Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a manageable disease. Awareness in clinicians is critical to avoid unnecessary treatment in patients with TO.

Successful Rescue of a Ruptured Tracheoinnominate Fistula with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Endovascular Stents, and Debranching Surgical Bypass.

We reported a case of ruptured tracheoinnominate fistula in a 14-year-old boy with history of repeated sternotomy. Tracheostomy was performed at age 2 years. Slide tracheoplasty was done at age 13 years. He presented to outpatient clinic with episodic hemosputum. Massive blood emanated from stoma during bronchoscopy evaluation. Venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was installed for resuscitation. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and angiography confirmed the diagnosis. Immediate control of bleeding was achieved by an endovascular stent graft deployed at innominate artery. Massive hemorrhage recurred on day 7. An aortic arch stent was inserted and all arch vessels debranching via supraclavicular collar excision was performed. A covered stent was used to fenestrate the aortic stent and establish antegrade blood flow to all neck vessels via left common carotid artery. The patient remained stable at 10-month follow-up. Combination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, endovascular intervention, and surgical bypass could be effective in treating critical patients.

Conservative management of trachea-to-innominate artery transfixion with a guidewire during percutaneous tracheostomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is a standard procedure in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation or airway protection for extended periods. The main cause of death is haemorrhage, most commonly owing to a trachea-to-innominate artery fistula, usually requiring surgical treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report the case of an 83-yr-old woman with a subarachnoid haemorrhage, who incurred a trachea-to-innominate artery transfixion following percutaneous tracheostomy, successfully and conservatively managed by interventional radiology. CONCLUSIONS: The use of peri-procedural ultrasound examination of the neck can reduce the risk of complications related to vessel anatomical variants. When the tracheostomy is complicated by bleeding, the procedure should be stopped in order to diagnose the vascular iatrogenic injury and to evaluate the best therapeutic approach by a multidisciplinary team.

Intermediate bronchial fistula caused by mediastinal drainage tube compression and fungal infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate bronchial fistula formation caused by mediastinal drainage tube compression and fungal infection is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old male patient with type 2 diabetes was observed air filling in mediastinal drainage tube, 12 days after esophagectomy for esophageal squamous carcinoma. Based on the results of computed tomography, bronchoscopy and pathology, the diagnosis of intermediate bronchial fistula caused by mediastinal drainage tube compression and fungal infection was made. Anti-fungal drug and temporary covered metallic stent was used. After stent removed, the fistula was healed with some granulation hyperplasia. He was free from respiratory symptom during 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intermediate bronchial fistula caused by the combination of mediastinal drainage tube compression and fungal infection is rare. Timely stenting could boost the healing of fistula via granulation tissue proliferation.

Tracheobronchial involvement of relapsing polychondritis.

Recent studies show that relapsing polychondritis patients with tracheobronchial involvement are distinct from others in terms of clinical characteristics, therapeutic management, and disease evolution. Tracheobronchial involvement affects 20 to 50% of patients and may reveal the disease. It should be sought at the time of diagnosis and at each follow-up visit. Respiratory impairment is confirmed by computed tomography (CT) of the chest, including the cervical portion of the trachea, with end-inspiratory and dynamic expiratory scans, and pulmonary function tests. These investigations should be performed, even in asymptomatic patients, at the time of diagnosis, and repeated as necessary during follow-up. Bronchoscopy and a fortiori endoscopic intervention should be considered with caution and performed only by expert endoscopists after careful evaluation of the risks and benefits of such procedures, which can lead to damage or perforation of the airways and bronchospasm. Early detection and management of tracheobronchial involvement in relapsing polychondritis has significantly improved the prognosis of patients, especially with the development of interventional fiberoptic bronchoscopy. However, relapsing polychondritis-related morbidity and mortality are still elevated, particularly in tracheobronchial disease.

Use of esophageal stent for the treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal-airway fistula after esophagectomy.

A gastrointestinal-airway fistula (GAF) after esophagectomy is a very serious postoperative complication that can cause severe respiratory complications due to digestive juice inflow. Generally, GAF is managed by invasive surgical treatment; less-invasive treatment has yet to be established. We performed esophageal stent placement (ESP) in three cases of GAF after esophagectomy. We assessed the usefulness of ESP through our clinical experience. All GAFs were successfully managed by ESP procedures. After the procedure, the stent positioning and expansion were appropriately evaluated by radiological assessments over time. The stent was removed after endoscopic confirmation of fistula closure on days 8, 23, and 71. Only one patient with a long-term indwelling stent developed a manageable secondary gastrobronchial fistula as a procedure-related complication. In conclusion, ESP was shown to be a less-invasive and effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of GAF.

Tracheal injury characterized by subcutaneous emphysema and dyspnea after improper placement of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube: A case report.

RATIONALE: Tracheal injury characterized by subcutaneous emphysema and dyspnea can occur following the use of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. Should tracheal injury occur, it may be possible to manage resultant airway obstruction with a tracheal stent. PATIENT CONCERNS: We describe the case of a 51-year-old patient who developed a tracheal injury when a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was inadvertently inserted into the patient's trachea. DIAGNOSES: Liver cirrhosis, gastric-fundus variceal bleeding, tracheal injury. INTERVENTIONS: Polyglycol and tissue glue were injected intravenously, and endoscopic variceal ligation was performed. A Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was used to stop the bleeding. A covered tracheal stent was placed via fiberoptic bronchoscopy to relieve the tracheal injury due to improper placement of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. OUTCOMES: After placement of the tracheal stent, the patient was able to breathe spontaneously and subsequently recovered. LESSONS: Some precautions must be taken to avoid placing a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube in the trachea. If a tracheal injury occurs following misplacement of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, it may be possible to manage resultant airway obstruction by placing a tracheal stent.