title: Airway obstruction due to tracheomalacia caused by innominate artery compression and a kyphotic cervical spine.
abstract: Tracheomalacia can cause variable degrees of intrathoracic airway obstruction and is an easily overlooked cause of respiratory distress in adults. Here, we report a case of acute respiratory failure in which subglottic stenosis was accidentally identified during endotracheal intubation. Subsequent bronchoscopy and computed tomography of the thorax and neck revealed tracheal compression with tracheomalacia caused by a tortuous innominate artery and a kyphotic cervical spine. The patient underwent rigid bronchoscopy with metal stent implantation, and her symptoms were alleviated. These findings outline the importance of precise diagnosis and interventions for preventing recurrent life-threatening respiratory failure in such cases.
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Chia-Hsin
authors: CH
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
authors: Wen-Sheng
authors: WS
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Radiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Hong-Hau
authors: HH
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Thoracic Internal Medicine, Landseed Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors: Chin-Pyng
authors: CP
authors: Wu
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Chih-Feng
authors: CF
authors: Chian
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Wann-Cherng
authors: WC
authors: Perng
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: doc10376@gmail.com.
authors: Chen-Liang
authors: CL
authors: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000150:complications*; D055090:Tracheomalacia / Q000150:complications*