Chien-Ching Leea,b, Bor-Shyh Linb, Jen-Yin Chena, Chia-Chun Chuanga*
aDepartment of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan, bInstitute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, National Chiao Tung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Open Access funded by Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation
Abstract Tracheobronchomegaly (also called Mounier–Kuhn syndrome) is a rare disease characterized by flaccid and markedly dilated trachea and main bronchi on inspiration with narrowing or collapse on expiration or cough. It is associated with recurrent lower respiratory tract infection. A 75-year-old man with unexpected giant tracheomegaly had a significant peritubal air leak which impeded an operation. Lumbar epidural anesthesia was performed for a subsequent operation without any sequela. Careful evaluation with chest radiography is basic to exclude a large airway. Chest computed tomography and fiber-optic bronchoscopy provided the diagnosis of a large airway. If a large airway is suspected, these examinations help to evaluate and manage the airway.
Keywords: Anesthesia, Mounier–Kuhn syndrome, Tracheobronchomegaly, Tracheomegaly
