Miscellaneous Lesions of Trachea and Larynx: Case Report Volume 6 - Issue 2

Rahalkar M D¹*, Anand M Rahalkar²

• ¹Ex Consultant Radiologist, Sahyadri Hospital, India
• ²Ex Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, Sahyadri Hospitals, India

Received: March 15, 2021;   Published: March 22, 2021

Corresponding author: Rahalkar M D, Ex Consultant Radiologist, Sahyadri Hospital, India

DOI: 10.32474/SJO.2021.06.000231

Abstract PDF

Abstract

Selected images of trachea and larynx are presented. These are shown as congenital, acquired (infection, Laryngeal diverticula, Tumours, Extrinsic lesions causing tracheal compression, Jugular fossa causing paralysis of larynx and Tracheo-esophageal fistula.

Keywords: Tracheal lesions; TEF; tumours of trachea

Introduction, Materials and Methods

A variety of lions of trachea and larynx can be noted during routine radiographic study and CT of chest. It is important to know their cognisance and report accordingly.

Results and Observations

Congenital: TEF, tracheal bronchus. Tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea. It is associated with different types of esophageal atresia [1] (Figure 1). This is an accessory bronchus with a small opening and is known to cuse recurrent pneumonia, as in this X ray [2] (Figures 2 & 3).

Acquired (Figures 4-7)

Lateral view of neck showing smooth narrowing of sub-glottic trachea due to viral infection called Croup (Figure 4). A small airfilled cavity is seen along the right lower wall of trachea due to a diverticulum. This was seen a chance finding on CXR [3] (Figure 5). A boggy swelling was noted in the root of neck on right in this male. CXR showed an air-filled lesion in the neck on right. CT revealed it to be a large cyst with a tiny communication with trachea in APO view. Paratracheal air cysts are not an uncommon incidental finding in routine thoracic imaging. They characteristically occur on the right side, in the region of the thoracic outlet. Occasionally they may mimic pneumomediastinum [4] (Figures 6 & 7).

Acquired lesions

a) Laryngeal diverticula
b) Tumours
c) Extrinsic lesions causing tracheal compression
d) Jugular fossa causing paralysis of larynx
e) Tracheo-esophageal fistula: acquired.
First image is at rest. On straining this young male showed bilateral diverticula increasing in size. This is an external diverticulum. The internal diverticulum remains inside thyrohyoid membrane and confines to the parapharyngeal space. Barium swallow study showed normal pyriform sinuses. g 9-Congenital cyst in vestibule. An oval smooth soft tissue mass in vallecula is due to a cyst [5,6] (Figures 8-13).

Conflicts of interests

Source of Funding: Nil

References

1. M D Rahalkar (1999) From book edited by Dr M D Rahalkar, Selected Topics from Pediatric Radiology. Chapter I, pp. 279.
2. Ian Bickle (1999) Radiopedia. Endotracheal tube malposition (neonatal).
3. Marina Pace, Annarita Dapoto,  Alessandra Surace (2018) Tracheal diverticula: A retrospective analysis of patients referred for thoracic CT.Medicine (Baltimore) 97(39): e12544.
4. Goo JM, Im JG, Ahn JM, Moon WK, Chung JE, et al. (1999) Right Paratracheal Air Cysts in the Thoracic Inlet: Clinical and Radiologic Significance. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Medicine 173(1): 65-70.
5. Harvey S Glazer, Matthew A, Dixie J Aronberg, Joseph KT Lee (1983) Computed Tomography of Laryngoceles. AJR 140(3): 549-552.
6. Mukund Rahalkar, Anand Rahalkar (2020) Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF)- A Late Complication of Tracheostomy. Otolaryngology Open Access Journal 5(2): 1-2.