Tracheobronchopathia Osteochlastica: A Study of 22 Patients from Serbia = Tracheobronchopathia Osteochlastica: A Study of 22 Patients from Serbia

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background
Tracheobronchopathia osteochalstica (TO) is an indolent and rare airway disorder with a favourable prognosis, characterized by the presence of submucosal cartilage or bone nodules in the wall of the laryngotracheobronchial tree, that can lead to its narrowing. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of this disorder in the general population, as well as to obtain basic socio-demographic characteristics of patients and the clinical manifestations of TO.
Methods
Endoscopic findings of patients who underwent bronchoscopy at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Serbia from 01.01.2013 to 01.01.2021 were analyzed. For patients in whom the existence of TO was confirmed, individual sociodemographic data were collected and clinical parameters were analyzed.
Results
Analysis of 14.545 bronchoscopic findings showed that TO was presented in 22 patients (0.15%). Our sample consisted of predominantly males (68.2%), while the mean age was 70.12. Approximately one-third of patients (32%) had a previously established respiratory disease (COPD and asthma most usually). In most cases, TO was found as an accidental finding during bronchoscopy indicated for other reasons (lung carcinoma in 50% of cases, inflammatory diseases of lung in 32%, other reasons in 18%). The trachea (especially its lower two-thirds) was the most common site of TO (73% of patients). The most common pre-bronchoscopic symptoms were cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. No significant narrowing of the laryngotracheobronchial lumen was found in any of the patients. Thus, none of them was treated with specific therapy for TO but received only symptomatic therapy and therapy aimed at the underlying respiratory disease.
Conclusion
Tracheobronchopathia osteochlastica is a rare and usually an underdiagnosed disorder. Its recognition can be important in everyday clinical practice, due to significant respiratory symptoms and impaired quality of life in patients with TO, as well as potential difficulties during endotracheal intubation.