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Case Reports
. 2012 Jun 1;4(3):320-2.
doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2012.05.10.

A very early stage of obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudo-membrane formation

Alberto Manassero, Susanna Ugues, Luca Bertolaccini, Matteo Bossolasco, Alberto Terzi, Giuseppe Coletta
Case Reports

A very early stage of obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudo-membrane formation

Alberto Manassero et al. J Thorac Dis. .

Abstract

As result of a short-term intubation (24 hours), we report a rare and poorly known complication: the formation of an obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudo-membrane (OFTP). The diagnosis and therapy of OFTP were due to its spontaneous expectoration after a long asymptomatic time post extubation (four days): This is a very unusual event. A CT-scan of the chest performed 3 hours after intubation revealed the first step of pseudo-membrane developing.

Keywords: Obstructive fibrinous tracheal membrane; endotracheal intubation complications.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathological examination of the lesion showed a pseudo-membrane molding the tracheal wall.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histological examination showed fibrinous material with polymorphonuclear infiltration and patchy areas of desquamated necrotic tracheal epithelium.
Figure 3
Figure 3
CT-scan of the chest performed 3 hours after intubation, revealed a contact on the tip’s tube to the anterior endo-tracheal wall just below cuff, and the presence of a luminal narrowing close the posterior endo-tracheal wall and the lumen surface of the tube.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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