Difficult intubation in an asymptomatic patient with tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

Abstract

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare, benign, slowly progressive disease of unknown aetiology. It is characterized by numerous sessile, cartilaginous, or osseous submucosal nodules distributed throughout the anterolateral walls of the trachea and projecting into the laryngotracheobronchial lumen. The diagnosis is usually incidental with distinct bronchoscopic or computed tomography (CT) scan findings. We have identified a case of asymptomatic TO through fibreoptic bronchoscopy and biopsy after having a difficult intubation for elective prostate surgery.

Keywords

• Bronchoscopy
• difficult intubation
• preoperative assessment
• tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica