Airway Obstruction Due to Tracheomalacia Caused by Innominate Artery Compression and a Kyphotic Cervical Spine

作者：Liu Chia Hsin; Huang Wen Sheng; Wang Hong Hau; Wu Chin Pyng; Chian Chih Feng; Perng Wann Cherng; Tsai Chen Liang^*

来源：Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2015, 99(2): 685-687.

DOI：10.1016/j.athoracsur.2014.04.119

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.

• 出版日期2015-2