Tracheobronchomalacia as a Rare Cause of Chronic Dyspnea in Adults.

OBJECTIVE

To emphasize the importance of a careful clinical evaluation to prevent unnecessary interventions and treatments.

METHODS

A 76-year-old female patient had been diagnosed with asthma during previous admissions to different hospitals. She had also undergone fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) on 2 occasions for evaluation of right middle lobe atelectasis observed on computed tomography. A repeated FOB revealed tracheobronchomalacia and nodular bronchial amyloidosis. A silicone Y stent was inserted, but the dyspnea increased. Excessive granulation tissue developed, and the patient died despite ventilatory support.

CONCLUSIONS

The stenting technique used did not prevent the development of respiratory failure and death in this patient. Hence, a surgical procedure could be considered as an alternative to stenting in such cases.