What is Tracheomegaly?
Tracheomegaly or tracheobronchomegaly is a rare syndrome which is characterized by dramatic dilatation of the trachea and the major bronchi. This syndorme is usually associated with chronic respiratory infection and airway obstruction.
What is Mounier Kuhn syndrome?
Background: Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (MKS) is a rare disorder characterized by enlargement of the trachea and main bronchi and associated with recurrent respiratory tract infections.
What causes an enlarged trachea?
With normal breathing, as air is drawn into the lungs, the trachea grows wider and longer. An unhealthy or abnormal trachea, however, may behave differently. The trachea and bronchi can become narrowed or blocked for various reasons, including birth defects, inflammation, injury, or tumor.
How is Tracheobronchomalacia diagnosed?
A diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) may be suspected based on the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms or abnormal pulmonary function tests. Additional testing such as CT scan and bronchoscopy can then be performed to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the severity of the condition.
What are the signs and symptoms of Bronchomalacia?
Symptoms of bronchomalacia vary but may include chronic cough, prolongation of lower respiratory tract infections, exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, apnea, recurrent pneumonia and recurrent bronchitis.
What is Young’s syndrome?
Young syndrome is a condition characterized by male infertility, damaged airways in the lungs (bronchiectasis), and inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis).
Is Tracheobronchomalacia a form of COPD?
Tracheobronchomalacia in children is believed to run in families. Adults who smoke are the most likely to have the disease. People with TBM often also have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What kind of airway disorder is tracheomalacia?
Tracheomalacia is an airway disorder where the trachea (windpipe) is floppy or abnormally collapsible. Sometimes the main bronchial tubes (airways in the lungs) are also abnormally floppy and the broader term tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is used. TBM can happen in one of two ways:
How does Tracheobronchomalacia ( TBM ) affect your breathing?
TBM can happen in one of two ways: The membrane and supportive tissue at the back of your trachea weaken. As a result, when you breathe out, this part of the trachea and main bronchi (breathing tubes) bulges into the air tubes. It partially blocks the passage of air and mucus.
What does it mean when your trachea is floppy?
Tracheomalacia is an airway disorder where the trachea (windpipe) is floppy or abnormally collapsible. Sometimes the main bronchial tubes (airways in the lungs) are also abnormally floppy and the broader term tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is used.
What are the risk factors for tracheobronchomalacia?
Most often the cause of TBM is unknown. In some cases, risk factors include: Prolonged mechanical ventilation. This is machine-assisted breathing in an intensive care unit (ICU). Pre-existing illnesses. These include certain autoimmune or inherited diseases, like relapsing polychondritis (RP), amyloidosis and Munier-Kuhn syndrome.