Tracheobronchomegaly--the Mounier-Kuhn syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature

Tracheobronchomegaly (TBM) is a rare disorder of uncertain aetiology, characterized by marked dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi, bronchiectasis and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Two patients with TBM are presented. In one case, a marked decrease of elastic and smooth muscle tissue was present in the bronchial biopsy specimens, obtained by rigid bronchoscopy. The airways of the second patient were visualized using computed tomography. The dimensions of the airways of our patients are compared with the normal values supplied in the literature.

Tracheobronchomegaly in association with ankylosing spondylitis

We present a case of tracheobronchomegaly seen in association with ankylosing spondylitis. To the authors' knowledge this combination has not been previously described. A review of the chest radiographs of 30 other patients with ankylosing spondylitis revealed no evidence of tracheal dilatation.

Tracheobronchomegaly associated with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis

Tracheobronchomegaly (TBM) is the syndrome of enlarged trachea and main bronchi associated with recurrent and chronic respiratory tract infections. A 42-year-old man with TBM and diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis is described. The possible relationship between the two entities is discussed and the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, prognosis and treatment of TBM are reviewed.

[Tracheobronchomegaly (Mounier-Kuhn syndrome)]

A case report is presented of a man with pronounced tracheobronchomegaly who has had respiratory symptoms since childhood. In spite of numerous medical examinations a disease remains undetected for many years. Authors bring up different standpoints about etiology and the most often accepted hypothesis about the autosomal recessive inheritance. They also point their attention to a small number of diagnosed cases despite high prevalence (0,4-1%) and typical symptoms.

Acquired tracheobronchomegaly resulting in severe respiratory failure

Tracheobronchomegaly is a distinct clinical and radiologic entity characterized by marked dilatation of the trachea and bronchi. In this report we describe a Marfanoid patient who developed TBM in his adulthood with rapid deterioration, leading to hypercapnic respiratory failure. This case represents an acquired form of TBM in a patient with Marfanoid features which has not been previously described. Tracheobronchomegaly should be considered as a cause of chronic respiratory failure in a young adult and can be diagnosed easily with chest roentgenogram and CAT scan.

Tracheobronchomegaly: clinical aspects and radiological features

Tracheobronchomegaly is a rare--probably congenital--disorder. Its clinical appearance is non-specific. The diagnosis is made by radiological methods. This paper describes the typical features in early and advanced stages and outlines the diagnostic approach.

Tracheomegaly in children

Three children with tracheomegaly were studied by CT scan at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Normal age-related tracheal dimensions were obtained from a study by Griscom (1). Tracheomegaly was defined as tracheal dimensions greater than 2 SD above normal. In two of our patients, tracheomegaly was associated with intubation and ventilatory support, and in the third, it was associated with recurrent pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. In this article, we discuss the etiologies of tracheomegaly in our patients and review the literature on the subject.

Tracheal dilatation followed by stenosis in Mounier-Kuhn syndrome. A case report

A patient with previously undiagnosed Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (tracheobronchomegaly) was admitted with a head injury after a fall. The trachea was intubated with an oral tracheal tube with high-volume low-pressure cuff. The intracuff pressure was within the normal safe range recommended by the manufacturer. However, the patient developed tracheal dilatation on the second day after intubation. The trachea was extubated on the 15th day, and it was noticed 48 hours later that the patient was developing a tracheal stenosis at the site of the previous dilatation. The stenosis was so severe that the patient underwent resection-anastomosis surgery of his stenotic tracheal segment 2 months after extubation. It may be preferable in patients with Mounier-Kuhn syndrome who require mechanical ventilation to intubate the trachea with an uncuffed tube and to pack the throat to decrease the chances of gas leak and inhalation.

CT features of tracheobronchomegaly

This paper describes the appearance of tracheobronchomegaly (also termed Mounier-Kuhn syndrome) as demonstrated on CT in three patients. Features include dilatation of the trachea and mainstem bronchi, tracheal diverticulosis, bronchiectasis, and chronic pulmonary parenchymal disease.

[Tracheobronchomegaly]

Tracheobronchomegaly is a very rare entity characterized by dilatation of the trachea, especially in the membranous part of the trachea. Asthmatic attacks were the cardinal symptom in the case presented. The expiratory collapse of trachea and bronchi is well demonstrated by computer tomography.