Tracheal Diverticula and Tracheobronchomegaly

¹ Department of Radiology, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences
² Department of Radiology, California College of Medicine

Four types of tracheal diverticula are briefly described.

Only one of these is associated with marked tracheobronchomegaly. Such a case is described. Unlike most cases of tracheobronchomegaly previously reported, this patient had no radiographic or clinical evidence of disease distal to the main stem bronchi; the tracheobronchitis was the only demonstrable cause for his symptoms. This case supports the concept that tracheobronchomegaly is a localized, congenital lesion, which results in chronic tracheobronchitis.

See Table in the PDF File

This chronic infection may eventually spread to the distal pulmonary tree producing bronchiectasis, bullous emphysema, and fibrosis.

A second case of tracheobronchomegaly with findings more typical of cases previously reported is briefly presented. This patient demonstrated bronchiectasis and chronic pulmonary infection, but no tracheal diverticula.