Tracheopathia Osteoplastica

Abstract

Tracheopathia osteoplastica is a rare benign abnormality of the trachea and bronchi characterized by numerous cartilaginous and bony nodules within the tissues of the submucosa without ulceration of the surface. The trachea, and, to a lesser extent, the bronchi, become narrow, rigid, and inelastic, the surface of the air passage presenting a corrugated and " cobblestone " appearance due to the projection of many sessile plaques and polyps into the lumen from the underlying tissues. In most instances the age incidence has been 40 to 60 years of age, with exceptions at 12 and 70 years, the sexes being equally affected. According to Hiebaum (1934), Luschka described the condition in 1856, a year before the first generally recognized publication by Wilks (1857). The latter found evidence of bony deposits in the larynx, trachea, and bronchi in a 38-year-old man who died of pulmonary tuberculosis. Dalgaard (1947) reviewed the literature of some 90 cases recorded at that time and included a detailed histological examination of the trachea in a personal case from a man 67 years of age. Since then further reports have been published by