Granulomatous tracheo-bronchitis from Crohn's disease

Abstract

Tracheo-bronchitis is an uncommon but important extra-intestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease. Our case demonstrates radiological and bronchoscopic evidence of tracheo-bronchitis secondary to Crohn's disease with pathology-proven granulomatous inflammation. This case highlights the importance of investigating airway involvement in patients with Crohn's disease and new respiratory symptoms.

Keywords: Crohn's; bronchoscopy and interventional techniques; granulomatous tracheobronchitis; inflammatory bowel disease; tracheobronchitis.

FIGURE 1

Axial chest CT image with arrows demonstrating circumferential thickening of the trachea

FIGURE 2

Bronchoscopic view of tracheal disease demonstrating diffuse mucosal cobblestone appearance