Traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica Experiência de uma Unidade de Broncologia

ABSTRACTTracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare disease of unknown pathogenesis and etiology. It is characterized by the presence of multiple submucosal osteocartilaginous nodules that involve luminal surfaces of anterior and lateral walls of the laryngotracheobronchial tree. In most cases the dis ease is benign and silent and its incidence in vivo (1:125 - 1:6000) is probably underestimated.Typical bronchoscopic examination of submucosal hard nodules and histologic confirmation in biopsy specimens are essential in establishing the diagnosis. In the absence of specific treatment, management is aimed at symptoms relieve. A minority of patients develop serious complications — infection, hemoptysis and obstruction — and surgical or endoscopic excision may be necessary.Incidence, clinical and bronchoscopic presentation of TO cases diagnosed in the Bronchology Unit of Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia during 14 years (since 1987 to 2001) were reviewed.In this period, 16 888 bronchoscopies were performed. TO was incidentally diagnosed in 13 patients (11 men, 2 women; mean age - 59,5±12,4years). Bronchoscopy showed the characteristic endoscopic findings and all cases were histopathologically proven. None of the patients received treatment. Four patients presented with concomitant malignant lung cancer.The incidence of TO in our series (1: 1299 bronchoscopies) is similar to that reported in the literature and several cases of malignant neoplasms associated with TO were identified as has been observed by other authors.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2002; VIII(4): 329-33