A case report of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

Abstract

A case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica occurring in a 48-year-old man is reported. Bronchoscopy revealed multiple nodular lesions in the tracheal mucosa. CT showed irregularity of the tracheal wall and histological study demonstrated new bone and cartilage formation in the submucosa. Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a rare disease, with multiple osteocartilaginous formation in the wall of trachea and bronchi. Since the first case was reported by Wilks in 1857, only about 300 cases have been found in the world literature. However, more than 20 cases have been found in Japan. No confirmed etiology and therapy are available. The prognosis and the possibility of malignant change are still unknown, and should be discussed in the future. The chances for finding the disease will be greater by the increasingly frequent use of the fledxible fiberscope and CT in our daily clinical practice.