Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica: Case report and literature review

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TPO) is a rare disorder characterized as multiple osseous or cartilaginous nodules in the submucosa of trachea and main bronchi. TPO remains an under recognized entity due to lack of awareness. Four cases of TPO are reported in this review as well as various facets of TPO description.

An unusual cause for recurrent chest infections

We present a case of an elderly non-smoking gentleman who, since 2005, had been admitted multiple times for recurrent episodes of shortness of breath, wheeze, cough and sputum. The patient was treated as exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or lower respiratory tract infections. Bronchoscopy was done which revealed multiple hard nodules in the trachea and bronchi with posterior tracheal wall sparing. Biopsies confirmed this as tracheopathia osteochondroplastica (TO). He had increasing frequency of admission due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas infections, which failed to clear despite intravenous, prolonged oral and nebulised antibiotics. The patient developed increasing respiratory distress and respiratory failure. The patient died peacefully in 2012. This case report highlights the typical pathological and radiological findings of TO and the pitfalls of misdiagnosing patients with recurrent chest infections as COPD.

Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica: Case report and literature review

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TPO) is a rare, benign condition involving the trachea. TPO is characterised by osteocartilaginous nodules developing within the submuscosa of the trachea, sparing the posterior wall. We present the first documented case of TPO in Oman in a 25 year-old Omani male who presented with a recurrent, productive cough from which he had suffered throughout the previous two years. Diagnosis was made by characteristic computed tomography scan, bronchoscopic findings, and a histopathological examination.

Lung function testing in adults with preferential nasal breathing

Three adult patients with asthma with preferential nasal breathing were found to have a typical pattern of lung function test results with substantial between test variation. This condition can be identified as a cause of unsatisfactory performance in respiratory tests by observing the patient's reaction after the nostrils have been occluded.