PMC7377931_01
Chest X-ray findings and 3-D reconstruction of thoracic computed tomography of a 74-year-old man with severe tracheal deformity. A-D, Chest X-ray findings from admission to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning. The arrow indicates a drainage cannula, and the arrowhead indicates a return cannula. Lung consolidation improved gradually. A, On admission. B, After the operation. C, Day 4, D, Day 8. E, F, 3-D reconstruction of thoracic computed tomography. The trachea and bronchi are shown in blue. The trachea is deformed in both the anterior-posterior and lateral directions and the right main bronchus is highly stenosed due to thoracic vertebrae deformity. E, Anterior view. F, Left side view.
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However, simple cricothyrotomy was not expected to resolve the issue of severe tracheal deformity (Fig. 1A). After tracheostomy, the patient was admitted to intensive care. A computed tomography scan after admission confirmed the presence of a severe tracheal deformity that was curved at a sharp angle (Fig. 1E,F).
Clinical course from admission to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) weaning of a 74-year-old man with severe tracheal deformity.
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The patient's oxygenation gradually improved (Fig. 2), allowing ECMO to be withdrawn on day 8.