Tracheobronchiomegaly: A Case Report

1 September 1965

journal article
research article
Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Vol. 82 (3) , 294-295
https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1965.00760010296015

Abstract

GROSS dilatation of the tracheobronchial tree associated with chronic recurrent respiratory tract infection was described initially by Mounier-Kuhn¹in 1932. Since that time approximately 16 case reports of this rare condition have been documented. The term, tracheobronchiomegaly, has been advocated by Katz and his co-workers²and more recently by Levowitz et al³in describing this condition. Essentially, this anatomic abnormality appears to arise as a congenital defect or atrophy in the tracheobronchial musculature and elastic tissue. Saccular diverticula may or may not be present; the pathogenesis of these diverticula is thought to be herniation of tracheal mucosa between cartilaginous rings. Chronic infection both contributes to and is caused by this alteration in pulmonary structure. Most patients present in early adulthood, and long-standing respiratory symptoms are often elicited.^4,5 Bronchoscopy may reveal redundant mucous membrane, cavernous dilatation of the tracheobronchial tree, or no obvious abnormality whatever. Secondary

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