A Complication of Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica Presenting as Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure
Unusual clinical course, Mistake in diagnosis, Management of emergency care, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)
Mauricio Danckers, Roy A. Raad, Ronaldo Zamuco, Aron Pollack, Scott Rickert, Caralee Caplan-Shaw
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:45-49
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.892427
Available online:
Published: 2015-01-28

Background:
Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a rare benign and often indolent disease. We report the first case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TBO) presenting as acute hypercarbic respiratory failure due to superimposed subglottic submucosal abscess.
Case Report:
A 27-year-old man presented to the emergency department in respiratory distress that required mechanical ventilation for acute hypercarbic respiratory failure. Upon extubation the next day, stridor was elicited with ambulation. Spirometry revealed fixed upper airway obstruction. Neck imaging showed a 2.8×2.0×4.0 cm partially calcified subglottic mass with cystic and solid component obstructing 75% of the airway. Surgical exploration revealed purulent drainage upon elevation of the thyroid isthmus and an anterolateral cricoid wall defect in communication with a subglottic submucosal cavity. Microbiology was negative for bacteria or fungi. Pathology showed chondro-osseous metaplasia compatible with tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TBO). The patient received a course of antibiotics and prophylactic tracheostomy. Since tracheostomy removal 3 days later, the patient remains asymptomatic.
Conclusions:
Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a rare disease with usually benign clinical course and incidental diagnosis. It may present as acute hypercarbic respiratory failure when subglottic infection is superimposed.
Keywords: Adult, Acute Disease, Diagnosis, Differential, Hypercapnia - etiology, Laryngoscopy, Osteochondrodysplasias - diagnosis, Respiratory Insufficiency - etiology, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Tracheal Diseases - diagnosis