[Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (tracheobronchomegaly)]

Abstract

The case presents a 43 years old man, cigarette smoker, exposed to wood dust at work, with chronic, ineffective cough symptoms, limited physical exertion and recurring respiratory system infection. Disorders appeared at the age of 33 after severe double-sided pneumonia. Despite the lack of active clinical infection the following microorganisms: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus MSSA were isolated from patient bronchi mucus. Diagnosis followed image examination (CT, virtual bronchofibroscope). The following was recommended: quitting smoking, avoiding dust exposure at work, physiotherapy to ease mucus removal from bronchi and preventive vaccination. Tracheobronchomegaly consists in trachea clearance and central bronchi widening which disturbs air flow in air-passages and decreases cough effectiveness. Main symptoms are: paroxysmal cough, recurring bronchi inflammation and pneumonia resulting in mucus residing in air-passages.