Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica—A 61-Year-Old Female with Middle Lobe Syndrome

Abstract

The authors present a case of a 61-year-old female patient suffering from tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TBO). Etiology of this unit is uncertain. TBO is characterised by presence of multiple nodules of various size, situated in the submucosa of the trachea and major bronchi. The course is usually benign, until lesion obstructs the bronchial lumen. In the presented case, occluded middle lobe bronchi resulted in peripheral atelectasis of the lung.

Clinical Characteristics of Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica

“…Some reports have proposed that etiologies of TO include metabolic abnormalities, degenerative processes related to aging, amyloidosis, malignancy, inheritance, silicosis, chronic irritation, and infection, but these hypotheses lack significant evidence. [17][18][19] Some case reports indicate that patients with TO who received inhaled corticosteroids for anti-inflammation therapy had symptom relief, which suggests that slowly progressing inflammatory stimulation may lead to the damage of the normal architecture of airway. 9 Clinical manifestations of TO in patients are variable and nonspecific.…”

Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica—Clinical, Radiological, and Endoscopic Correlation: Case Series and Literature Review

“…30 The lower third of the trachea is commonly affected, although it can extend through the main bronchi, where cartilaginous rings are still found. 11 Consistently, 88% of the patients had tracheal diseases, while 52% had lesions on the main bronchi and 24% on the larynx. The membranous posterior wall is always spared, and cartilage rings appear thickened and deformed without evidence of external compression 28,30 (Figures 6B and 8A).…”