Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica / Traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica

ABSTRACT Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a rare benign disease, of unknown cause, characterized by numerous sessile, cartilaginous, or bony submucosal nodules distributed throughout the anterolateral walls, projecting into the laryngotracheobronchial lumen. In general, tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is diagnosed incidentally during bronchoscopy or autopsy and is not associated with a specific disease. We report the case of a male patient who was diagnosed with tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica via bronchoscopy and biopsy.

RESUMO A traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica é uma doença benigna rara, de causa desconhecida, caracterizada por numerosos nódulos submucosos sésseis, cartilaginosos e/ou ósseos, distribuídos pelas paredes anterolaterais da traqueia, projetando-se no lúmen laringotraqueobrônquico. Em geral, a traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica é descoberta acidentalmente durante broncoscopias ou em necropsias e não é associada a uma doença específica. Relatamos o caso de um paciente que foi diagnosticado com traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica por broncoscopia e biópsia.

Divertículo traqueal: um relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Tracheal diverticulum: a case report and literature review

Divertículo traqueal é uma patologia benigna caracterizada por invaginações únicas ou múltiplas na parede da traqueia. Condição rara, com poucos casos relatados na literatura mundial. Tem etiologias congênita ou adquirida. A maioria dos pacientes são completamente assintomáticos durante toda a sua vida, o que justifica um pequeno número de casos na literatura. O diagnóstico é feito por Tomografia Computadorizada (preferencialmente helicoidal) de pescoço. O caso relato é de uma mulher de 55 anos, portadora de asma brônquica de difícil controle atendida no ambulatório de cirurgia torácica de um hospital público brasileiro com quadro de tosse crônica e dispneia intermitentes há cerca de dois anos. Propedêutica com broncoscopia e endoscopia digestiva alta sem achados anormais. Tomografia computadorizada de pescoço multislice detectou formação cística de conteúdo aéreo projetada para a direita da traqueia. Submetida a cervicotomia exploradora e ressecção de formação cística, ovóide, posterior ao lobo direito da tireóide, com comunicação com a traquéia. Estudo histopatológico evidenciou lesão constituída de epitélio respiratório, achado que corroborou o diagnóstico de divertículo traqueal. Essa patologia foi identificada como de causa adquirida no caso relatado, devido ao quadro de tosse crônica pela asma brônquica de difícil controle, achados compatíveis com a literatura mundial. (AU)

Tracheal diverticulum is a benign pathology characterized by single or multiple invaginations in the trachea wall. It is a rare condition, with few cases reported in the world literature. Tracheal diverticulum can be either congenital or acquired. Most patients are completely asymptomatic throughout the life, which justifies a small number of cases reported in the literature. The diagnosis is made by computed tomography multi-slice of the neck. The case report is of a asthmatic 55-year-old female, with a 2-year history of repeatedly cough and dyspnea met in thoracic surgery clinic of a brazilian public hospital. Workup with bronchoscopy and endoscopy with no abnormal findings. Computed tomography multi-slice detected a paratracheal air cyst located at the right posterolateral aspect of the trachea. The patient underwent exploratory cervicotomy and resection of a cystic lesion, ovoid, posterior the right lobe of the thyroid, with communication with the trachea. The final pathological report: respiratory epithelium in the cyst wall, a finding that corroborates the diagnosis of tracheal diverticulum. In the case reported, the tracheal diverticulum was determined as acquired, due to chronic cough by asthma, findings consistent with the literature. (AU)

Value of application of sevoflurane anesthesia induction in anesthesia management of foreign matter removal from trachea in children / 中国医师杂志

Objective Tc explore the value of application of Sevoflurane anesthesia induction in anesthesia management of foreign matter removal from trachea in children.Methods Sixty five cases of children with tracheal foreign matter related in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2016 were selected as the study objects,and were divided into two groups according to random number table method.The control group of 32 cases was given 2.5 mg/kg propofol to induce anaesthesia,and the observation group of 33 cases was given 8％ Sevoflurane inhalation to induce ancsthesia.One shot success rate,deoxygenation time,operation time,recovery time and the relative parameters (systolic pressure,diastolic pressure,respiratory rate and pulse oxygen saturation) at entrance time,before and after setting the mirror were contrasted and analyzed,and the intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded in the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in respiratory rate,blood oxygen saturation,systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure between two groups at entrance time and before setting the mirror (P ＞ 0.05).The respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation of the observation group were higher than those of control group after setting the mirror and at withdrawing mirror time,with statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05).No statistically significant differences in other indexes (P ＞ 0.05).Deoxygenation time,operation time and recovery time of the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The total incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Sevoflurane anesthesia induction can obviously shorten operation time and recovery time in foreign matter removal from trachea in children,and reduce the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions.It has good clinical effect.

Time analysis of pulmonary reexpansion after the acute foreign body airway obstruction removal in miniature pigs / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the time of spontaneous recovery of atelectasis after removing the acute airway foreign bodies in miniature pigs.Methods Twenty-two miniature pigs were inserted into the occlusion stent in the right lower lobe bronchus by using bronchoscopy.After confirming the formation of atelectasis,the occlusion stent was removed and the imaging changes were observed for 3 weeks continuously.Results Atelectasis was formed within 1 week after the airway occlusion stent implantation in miniature pigs.Pulmonary reexpansion was observed obviously on week 3 after removal of airway occlusion stent (P ＜0.05).Conclusions The spontaneous recovery time of atelectasis,which caused by an acute foreign body airway obstruction within 1 week,may take 3 weeks at least.

A Case of Symptomatic Tracheal Diverticulum and Surgical Resection as a Treatment Modality

Tracheal diverticulum is often diagnosed incidentally and, due to its rarity, there is no standard treatment. It is a benign entity, but has the potential to cause specific symptoms, such as chronic upper respiratory infection and chronic cough. Symptomatic tracheal diverticulum can be medically treated, but likelihood of recurrence is high. We report a case of surgical resection of symptomatic tracheal diverticulum to prevent recurrence.

Importance of flexible bronchoscopy in decannulation of tracheostomy patients / Importância da broncoscopia flexível na decanulação dos pacientes traqueostomizados

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of flexible bronchoscopy in tracheostomy patients in the process of decannulation to assess the incidence and types of laryngotracheal injury and compare the presence of such lesions with clinical criteria used for decannulation. METHODS: We studied 51 tracheostomized patients aged between 19 and 87 years, with tracheal stent for a mean of 46 ± 28 days and with clinical criteria for decannulation. They were submitted to tracheostomy tube occlusion tolerance testfor 24 hours, and then to flexible bronchoscopy. We described and classified the diagnosed laryngotracheal changes. We compared the clinical criteria for decannulation indication with the bronchoscopy-diagnosed laryngotracheal injuries that contraindicated decannulation. We identified the factors that could interfere in decannulation and evaluated the importance of bronchoscopy as part of the process. RESULTS: Forty (80.4%) patients had laryngotracheal alterations. Of the 40 patients considered clinically fit to decannulation, eight (20%) (p = 0.0007) presented with laryngotracheal injuries at bronchoscopy that contraindicated the procedure. The most frequent laryngeal alteration was vocal cords lesion, in 15 (29%) individuals, and granuloma, the most prevalent tracheal lesion, in 14 (27.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: flexible bronchoscopy showed a large number of laryngotracheal injuries, the most frequent being the vocal cords injury in the larynx and the granuloma in the trachea, which contributed to increase the decannulation procedure safety.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a importância do emprego, da broncoscopia flexível nos pacientes traqueostomizados em vias de decanulação para conhecer a incidência e os tipos de lesões laringotraqueais e comparar a presença destas lesões com os critérios clínicos utilizados para a decanulação. MÉTODOS: foram estudados 51 pacientes, com idade entre 19 e 87 anos, traquestomizados, com critérios clínicos de decanulação e com tempo médio de órtese traqueal de 46 ± 28 dias. Foram submetidos ao teste de tolerância à oclusão da cânula de traqueostomia por 24 horas, seguida da realização da broncoscopia flexível. As alterações laringotraqueais diagnosticadas foram descritas e classificadas. Comparou-se a indicação de decanulação por critérios clínicos com o diagnóstico de lesões laringotraqueais à broncoscopia que contraindicavam a decanulação. Identificaram-se os fatores que poderiam interferir na decanulação e avaliou-se a importância da broncoscopia como parte do processo. RESULTADOS: Apresentaram alterações laringotraqueais, 40 pacientes (80,4%). Dos 40 pacientes considerados clinicamente aptos à decanulação, oito (20%) (p=0,0007) apresentaram lesões laringotraqueais à broncoscopia que contraindicaram o procedimento. A alteração laríngea mais frequente foi lesão de pregas vocais em 15 (29%) e o granuloma, a lesão traqueal mais prevalente em 14 (27,5%) pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: a broncoscopia flexível evidenciou um número elevado de lesões laringotraqueais, sendo mais prevalentes a lesão de pregas vocais na laringe e o granuloma na traqueia, que contribuiu para aumentar a segurança do procedimento de decanulação.

The effects of different modes of mechanical ventilation under general anesthesia on children undergoing removal of foreign body with bronchofiberscopy / 中国医师杂志

Objective To explore the effects of different ventilation modes of tracheobronchial foreign body in children with fiberoptic operation under general anesthesia.Methods Sixty children (1ys≤ age≤3ys) undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy tracheal foreign body removal according to the combinations of different ventilation modes during and after fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) procedures were divided into group A [volume control ventilation (VCV) + VCV,n =20],group B [pressure control ventilation (PCV) + VCV,n =20] and group C (PCV + PCV,n =20) randomly.The P mean,Pmax,and PetCO2 during and after fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedures were monitored.The SpO2,PaO2,and PaCO2 after mechanical ventilation 1.5 hours were recorded.Results Compared to group A,groups B and C had lower P max and P mean (P ＜ 0.05) during the FOB procedures.Compared to groups A and B,group C had a lower P max and P mean (P ＜0.01) after the FOB procedures.At the 1.5 hours after the procedure,all the children showed significant increase in SpO2 and PaO2 (P ＜ 0.05) and decrease in PaCO2 (P ＜ 0.05) in groups A,B,and C.Conclusions When fiberoptic bronchoscopy in tracheobronchial foreign body operation is applied in children undergoing general anesthesia,the pressure control ventilation (VCV) mode can decrease the pressure of airway (Paw) and PaCO2 than volume control mode during procedure.

Infected tracheal diverticulum: a rare association with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency / Divertículo da traqueia infectado: um caso de associação rara com deficiência de alfa-1 antitripsina

Tracheal diverticulum, defined as a benign outpouching of the tracheal wall, is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice. It can be congenital or acquired in origin, and most cases are asymptomatic, typically being diagnosed postmortem. We report a case of a 69-year-old woman who was hospitalized after presenting with fever, fatigue, pleuritic chest pain, and a right neck mass complicated by dysphagia. Her medical history was significant: pulmonary emphysema (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency); bronchiectasis; and thyroidectomy. On physical examination, she presented diminished breath sounds and muffled heart sounds, with a systolic murmur. Laboratory tests revealed elevated inflammatory markers, a CT scan showed an air-filled, multilocular mass in the right tracheal wall, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the CT findings. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy failed to reveal any abnormalities. Nevertheless, the patient was diagnosed with tracheal diverticulum. The treatment approach was conservative, consisting mainly of antibiotics. After showing clinical improvement, the patient was discharged.

Divertículos da traqueia são evaginações benignas da parede traqueal e raramente diagnosticados na prática clínica. Podem ser congênitos ou adquiridos, e na maioria dos casos são assintomáticos, sendo tipicamente diagnosticados em estudos post-mortem. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 69 anos que foi hospitalizada após apresentar febre, fadiga, dor torácica pleurítica e uma massa cervical à direita complicada por disfagia. Tinha antecedentes pessoais de enfisema pulmonar (deficiência de alfa-1 antitripsina), bronquiectasias e tireoidectomia. Ao exame físico apresentava murmúrio vesicular diminuído, hipofonese cardíaca e um sopro sistólico. Laboratorialmente apresentava marcadores inflamatórios elevados, e uma TC mostrou uma massa aérea, multiloculada na parede direita da traqueia, achados confirmados por ressonância magnética nuclear. Realizou ainda uma fibrobroncoscopia que se revelou normal. Assumiu-se o diagnóstico de divertículo da traqueia. O tratamento proposto foi conservador, consistindo principalmente de antibioticoterapia. Após melhora clínica, a paciente recebeu alta.

Fístula traqueoesofágica en niños: un diagnóstico para tener en cuenta. Reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Tracheo-esophageal fistula in children: a diagnosis to keep in mind. Two case reports and review of the literature

La fístula traqueoesofágica sin atresia esofágica es un tipo infrecuente de malformación del esófago, de etiología multifactorial, incluyendo factores ambientales y genéticos. Se manifiesta con tos y ahogo con los alimentos, cianosis y/o neumonía recurrente. El diagnóstico requiere un alto índice de sospecha clínica y su confirmación se hace por imágenes como el estudio de las vías digestivas superiores y la video-fluoroscopia, o por broncoscopia visualizando directamente la fístula, o con azul de metileno para observar el paso de este líquido. El tratamiento puede hacerse por vía endoscópica o quirúrgica, con buenos resultados.

Tracheo-esophageal fistula without esophageal atresia is a rare type of esophageal malformation. It has a multifactorial etiology including environmental and genetic factors. Common clinical manifestations are coughing and choking after meals, cyanosis and/or recurrent pneumonia. Diagnosis requires a high clinical suspicion index. Fistula confirmation is done with imaging studies including upper digestive series, video-fluoroscopy or with the use of bronchoscopy which allows direct visualization of the fistula or methylene blue passage through the abnormal communication. Fistula closure can be done endoscopically or surgically, in both cases with good results.

Anormalidades congénitas y adquiridas de la tráquea y bronquios principales en la población pediátrica: [revisión] / Congenital and adquired abnormalities of pediatric trachea and main-steam bronchi: [review]

La radiografía de tórax es la primera herramienta diagnóstica que permite sospechar alteraciones en la anatomía traqueobronquial; sin embargo, durante los últimos años la tomografía multicorte ha emergido como una modalidad diagnóstica adicional que permite identificar y caracterizar de manera precisa la patología traqueobronquial tanto congénita como adquirida, por lo que permite una mejor aproximación a sus características morfológicas y a su diagnóstico diferencial, y complementa de esta manera los hallazgos en la radiología convencional. La presente es una revisión de las principales patologías de la tráquea y de los bronquios.

Tracheobronchial tree abnormalities can be first suspected in chest radiography;nonetheless, multidetector row computed tomography imaging constitutes a complementarydiagnostic alternative for the evaluation of congenital and acquired tracheobronchial tree anomalies that allows the radiologist a closer approximation toward the correct diagnosis as well as the accurate description of its morphological features and differential diagnosis. We present a review of the main tracheobronchial tree pathology.

Traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica: relato de 2 casos e revisão bibliográfica / Osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy: report on 02 cases and bibliographic review

A traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplásica (TO) é uma doença benigna rara, de causa desconhecida, caracterizada por numerosos nódulos submucosos sésseis, cartilaginosos e/ou ósseos, distribuídos pelas paredes ântero-laterais, projetando-se no lúmen laringotraqueobrônquico. Existem aproximadamente 400 casos relatados na literatura mundial. OBJETIVOS: Relatar e discutir 2 casos de TO com a revisão bibliográfica. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Apresentação de 2 casos, com revisão bibliográfica realizada através dos bancos de dados do MEDLINE, LILACS, PUBMED. DESENHO DO ESTUDO: Estudo observacional, descritivo, relato de casos. CONCLUSÃO: Os sintomas são resultados de obstrução da via aérea, causando tosse seca, dispneia e infecções recorrentes do trato respiratório. A suspeita diagnóstica é feita pela endoscopia de vias aéreas (laringotraqueobroncoscopia), sendo a tomografia computadorizada do tórax/traqueia útil para documentar as características de lesões nodulares. O diagnóstico diferencial inclui a papilomatose, amiloidose e sarcoidose endobronquial, condrossarcoma, hamartoma e linfonodos paratraqueais calcificados. Não existe tratamento específico, porém o prognóstico é bom. A remoção cirúrgica é restrita aos quadros obstrutivos moderados e severos. Os otorrinolaringologistas devem estar atentos e incluírem a traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica na lista de diagnósticos diferenciais, quando frente aos sintomas sugestivos de doenças da via aérea superior e árvore traqueobrônquica.

Osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy (OT) is a rare benign disorder of the lower part of the trachea and the upper part of the main bronchus characterized by numerous submucosal calcified nodules, sessile, cartilaginous and/or osseous with laryngotracheobronchial lumen projection. There are less than 400 cases reported in the word literature. AIM: to report and discuss 02 cases of OT with a bibliography review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we report on 02 cases with bibliography revision from MEDLINE, LILACS and PUBMED data. STUDY DESIGN: observational, descriptive, case reports. CONCLUSION: the symptoms result from airway obstruction, causing dry cough, dyspnea and recurrent respiratory tract infections. The diagnostic hypothesis is established by endoscopy of the upper airway (laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy), and the trachea/chest computed tomography is the best image exam to define tracheal nodule alterations. The differential diagnoses are papillomatosis, amyloidosis and sarcoidosis chondrosarcoma hamartoma and calcified paratracheal lymph nodes. There is no specific treatment and the prognosis is good. Surgery is restricted to moderate or severe airway obstructions. Otorhinolaryngologists must include OT in the differential diagnosis of cases of upper airway and tracheobronchial tree suggestive symptoms.

Laceração traqueal pós-intubação: análise de três casos e revisão de literatura / Post-intubation tracheal injury: report of three cases and literature review

A laceração traqueal pós-intubação é uma complicação rara e potencialmente fatal. Entre as principais causas, se destacam a hiperinsuflação do balonete e tentativas repetidas de intubação em situações de emergência. O diagnóstico depende da suspeita clínico-radiológica e da confirmação por fibrobroncoscopia. O manejo pode ser conservador ou cirúrgico, e essa opção depende de fatores do paciente (comorbidades, estabilidade ventilatória), das características da lesão (tamanho e topografia) e do tempo decorrido até o diagnóstico. O presente estudo relata três casos de laceração traqueal decorrente de trauma de intubação com dois pacientes submetidos a tratamento operatório e um deles ao tratamento conservador.

Post-intubation tracheal injury is a rare and potentially fatal complication. Among the most common causes, cuff overinflation and repetitive attempts of orotracheal intubation in emergency situations are paramount. Diagnosis is based on clinical and radiological suspicion, confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Both conservative and surgical management apply, and the decision-making process depends on the patient profile (comorbidities, respiratory stability), characteristics of the lesion (size and location) and the time elapsed between the occurrence of the injury and the diagnosis. We report the cases of three patients presenting tracheal laceration due to traumatic orotracheal intubation, two submitted to surgical treatment and one submitted to conservative treatment.

Tratamento cirúrgico das estenoses traqueais congênitas / Surgical treatment of congenital tracheal stenoses

OBJETIVO: Analisar os desfechos dos pacientes submetidos ao reparo de estenose congênita de traqueia. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos pacientes com estenose traqueal congênita tratados no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo entre 2001 e 2007. RESULTADOS: Seis meninos e uma menina (idade ao diagnóstico entre 28 dias e 3 anos) foram incluídos. Cinco pacientes apresentavam malformações intracardíacas e/ou de grandes vasos associadas. A extensão das estenoses foi curta em três pacientes, média em um e longa em três. As técnicas utilizadas foram traqueoplastia com enxerto de pericárdio em três pacientes, ressecção e anastomose em dois, traqueoplastia em bisel em um e correção de anel vascular em um. Um paciente morreu no intraoperatório por hipóxia e instabilidade hemodinâmica e outro no 11º dia pós-operatório por choque séptico. Outras complicações observadas foram pneumonia, arritmia, estenose na anastomose e estenose residual, malácia e formação de granulomas. O tempo médio de seguimento pós-operatório foi de 31 meses; quatro pacientes ficaram livres da doença e um necessitou de tubo T para manter a via aérea pérvia. CONCLUSÕES: A estenose congênita de traqueia é uma doença curável. Entretanto, seu reparo é complexo e está associado a taxas de morbidade e mortalidade significativas.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing repair of congenital tracheal stenosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of congenital tracheal stenosis patients treated between 2001 and 2007 at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: Six boys and one girl (age at diagnosis ranging from 28 days to 3 years) were included. Five of the patients also had cardiac or major vessel malformations. The stenosis length was short in three patients, medium in one and long in three. The techniques used were pericardial patch tracheoplasty in three patients, resection and anastomosis in two, slide tracheoplasty in one and vascular ring correction in one. One patient died during surgery due to hypoxia and hemodynamic instability, and one died from septic shock on postoperative day 11. Other complications included pneumonia, arrhythmia, stenosis at the anastomosis level, residual stenosis, granuloma formation and malacia. The mean follow-up period was 31 months; four patients were cured, and one required the use of a T tube to maintain airway patency. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital tracheal stenosis is a curable disease. However, its repair is complex and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality.

Amiloidose traqueobrônquica primária / Primary tracheobronchial amyloidosis

Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is an uncommon localized form of amyloidosis, characterized by amyloid deposits restricted to the trachea, main bronchi and segmental bronchi. We present the case of a retired 67-year-old man with long-term progressive dyspnea, wheezing and chest pain. A diagnosis of tracheobronchial amyloidosis was made after the third fiberoptic bronchoscopy and histological confirmation through Congo red staining of tissue samples.

A amiloidose traqueobrônquica é uma forma pouco comum de amiloidose localizada, caracterizada por depósitos amilóides limitados à traquéia, brônquios principais e brônquios segmentares. Nós apresentamos o caso de um homem aposentado de 67 anos com dispnéia progressiva de longa data, sibilância e dor torácica. O diagnóstico de amiloidose traqueobrônquica foi realizado após três fibrobroncoscopias e confirmação histopatológica com coloração vermelho congo.

Manifestações clínicas na Policondrite Recidivante: relato de caso / Clinical manifestations of Relapsing Polychondritis: case report

A Policondrite Recidivante - PR é uma afecção sistêmica grave, de natureza imunológica, caracterizada por um processo inflamatório que acomete as estruturas cartilaginosas nasais e auriculares, vias aéreas superiores e articulações periféricas. O diagnóstico é basicamente clínico e as complicações otorrinolaringológicas podem ser as manifestações iniciais da doença. Tendo em vista a raridade da doença, objetivou-se descrever um caso de PR, atendida no Hospital das Clínicas da UFG em agosto de 2006. Para tanto, as etapas seqüenciais do atendimento foram descritas desde a consulta inicial, diagnóstico, tratamento até a alta hospitalar. As dificuldades vivenciadas pelos profissionais em dar seguimento ao tratamento, em função da resistência da paciente, provavelmente colaborou para agravamento da doença, culminando em seu óbito. O clínico deve estar atento frente a suspeita clínica de Policondrite Recidivante visando o seu diagnóstico precoce e tratamento.

The Relapsing Polychondritis - RP is a rare systemic affection, of immunological nature, characterize by an inflammatory process that affects cartilaginous structures, upper airway and peripheral articulation. The diagnosis is basically clinical and the otorhinolaryngological complications can be the initial manifestations of the illness. Having in view the rarity of the disease, it was objectified to describe a PR case attended at Hospital das Clínicas of UFG in august of 2006. Therefore, the sequential stages of the attendance had been described since the initial appointment, diagnosis, high treatment until the hospital one. The difficulties lived deeply for the professionals to proceed the treatment, in function of the resistance of the patient, probably collaborated for aggravation of the illness, culminating in its death. The physician must be alert in the presence of the clinical suspicion of Relapsing Polychondritis aiming at its precocious diagnosis and treatment.

La Policondrite Recidivante - PR es una afección sistémica grave, de naturaleza inmunológica. Caracterizada un proceso inflamatorio que acomete estructuras cartilaginosa nasales, vías aereas superiores y articulaciones periféricas. El diagnóstico es basicamente clínico y las complicaciones otorrinolaringológicas pueden ser las manifestaciones iniciales de la enfermedad. Esta enfermedad por ser rara, se objetivó describir un caso de PR, atendida en El Hospital de las Clínicas de La UFG en agosto de 2006. Para tanto, las etapas secuenciales del atendimiento fueron descritas desde la consulta inicial, diagnóstico, tratamiento hasta la alta hospitalar. Las dificultades vividas por los profesionales en dar seguimiento al tratamiento, en función de La resistencia de La paciente, probablemente colaboro para el agravamiento de la enfermedad, culminando en su óbito. El clínico debe estar atento frente a la sospecha clínica de Policondrite Recidivante visando su diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento.

Alterações difusas da traquéia: aspectos na tomografia computadorizada / Diffuse abnormalities of the trachea: computed tomography findings

O objetivo deste ensaio pictórico foi apresentar as principais alterações tomográficas observadas em doenças que acometem a traquéia de forma difusa. As doenças estudadas foram amiloidose, traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica, traqueobroncomegalia, papilomatose laringo-traqueo-brônquica, linfoma, neurofibromatose, policondrite recidivante, granulomatose de Wegener, tuberculose, paracoccidioidomicose e traqueobroncomalácia. O principal aspecto observado na tomografia computadorizada foi o espessamento das paredes traqueais, com ou sem nodulações, calcificações parietais ou comprometimento da parede posterior. Embora a tomografia computadorizada permita a detecção e a caracterização das doenças das vias aéreas centrais, e a correlação com os dados clínicos reduza as possibilidades diagnósticas, a broncoscopia com biópsia continua sendo o procedimento mais importante no diagnóstico das lesões difusas da traquéia.

The aim of this pictorial essay was to present the main computed tomography findings seen in diffuse diseases of the trachea. The diseases studied included amyloidosis, tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica, tracheobronchomegaly, laryngotracheobronchial papillomatosis, lymphoma, neurofibromatosis, relapsing polychondritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, tuberculosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and tracheobronchomalacia. The most common computed tomography finding was thickening of the walls of the trachea, with or without nodules, parietal calcifications, or involvement of the posterior wall. Although computed tomography allows the detection and characterization of diseases of the central airways, and the correlation with clinical data reduces the diagnostic possibilities, bronchoscopy with biopsy remains the most useful procedure for the diagnosis of diffuse lesions of the trachea.

Experimental study of replacement of artificial tracheal prosthesis by two-stage procedure with memory-alloy mesh / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective: To make an artificial trachea, which can really healed with native trachea. Methods: 20 dogs are randomized into a pedicle group and a nonpedicle group. 6 cm cervical trachea was resected and replaced with "sandwich" artificial trachea made from memory alloy meshes by two-stage operative procedure. Survival period and stenosis of anastomosis were recorded. Results: Seven dogs in pedicle group survived well and another three were dead. The cause of death was anastomosis stricture in 1 and infection in 2. All dogs in nonpedicle group were dead within four weeks because of stenosis or infection. Conclusion: Two-stage operative pedicle "sandwich" artificial trachea made from memory alloy mesh is up to now the closest artificial trachea to human native trachea. It could be applied clinically.

Diagnosis of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica by computed tomography / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To study the CT features and enhance the knowledge of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO). Methods The CT appearances in 6 patients with pathologically proved TO were analyzed retrospectively. Results CT of the chest revealed scattered and multiple mural nodules protruding into the tracheobronchial lumen. Punctate calcification occurred within these nodules. The nodular lesions usually involved the anterior and lateral walls of the trachea and major bronchi. These nodules generally ranged from 2 to 4 mm in diameter. The nodular lesions were seen on lobar bronchi in two cases. Diffuse irregular mural thickening of the trachea and deformed tracheal cartilage rings were observed in two cases. Conclusion CT demonstration of multiple mural nodules with calcification in the tracheobronchial tree is a characteristic finding for TO.

CT virtual bronchoscopy in children: clinical application / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To discuss the technique′s characteristics, manifestation, clinical application, and limit in normal and abnormal pediatric airway by using CTVB (CT virtual bronchoscopy) in comparison with FOB (fiberoptic bronchoscopy). Methods Spiral scans were performed by a GE Hispeed spiral scanner in 113 pediatric chests The reformed images of 45 patients were transported to a workstation by which 3 D reconstructions were performed with a software named Navigator and CTVB was generated Results Bronchi were manifested 100% in grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ, 46 7% and 13 3% were revealed in grade Ⅳ and V with CTVB, respectively FOB can only enter grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ bronchi, only 62 2% of the lobar bronchi can be manifested by FOB The findings of CTVB were stenosis ( n =34), occlusion ( n =11), and mass ( n =16) Only 3 radiotransparent foreign bodies and 2 inflammatory emboli were misdiagnosed as tumors, the rest was consistent with FOB Conclusion CTVB is an important supplement to conventional CT, CTVB can detect intraluminal space occupying lesions and occlusions or stenosises caused by all kinds of causes,but lack specificity CTVB can fly through the occlusions or stenosises of the lumen and enter the distal bronchi, thus can make up for the disadvantages of FOB It can′t make the diagnosis independently and must join together the CT primitive the diagram resemble or rebuild the diagram resemble proceeds to synthesize the analysis