PMC9128046_01
Contained posterior tracheal rupture identified via computed tomography. (a) Baseline computed tomography imaging of chest, axial view. (b) Computed tomography imaging of chest, axial view. (c) Computed tomography imaging of the chest, coronal view. Diffused ground-glass opacities in lungs and a vague cavitary lesion in right upper lobe were also seen.
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Her lungs were completely fibrotic, with the presence of a 4.7-by-4.3-cm right upper lobe vague cavity mass, which was suspected to be infective in nature (Figure 1).
Pre- and post-tracheal repair views. (a) Bronchoscopy tracheal view pre-repair, upon inhalation. (b) Bronchoscopy tracheal view pre-repair, upon exhalation. (c) Bronchoscopy tracheal view post-repair. Within the same pre-repair view, the 'crater-like' tracheal defect is visibly accentuated upon expiration (b) compared with inspiration (a). Figure 2(c) shows intact posterior tracheal wall post-repair with no mobile flap seen in contrast to pre-repair.
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As only a thin layer of posterior fascia was left intact, it could be seen moving synchronously with respiration (Figure 2). An intercostal muscle flap was used to buttress the repair via sandwiching between the posterior trachea and oesophagus (Figure 2).