Global Journal of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine
Open AccessTracheomalacia with Hyperdynamic Airway Collapse Diagnosed and Treated in the Emergency Department
Authors: Gufran Algaly, Fatihah Tarmizi, Alhady Yusof.
Abstract
Tracheomalacia poses a significant challenge in diagnosis due to its rarity and the absence of distinctive diagnostic features. This case study presents a female patient with a history of anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest who underwent tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. The patient’s caregiver sought medical attention in the emergency department due to elevated Peake pressure and a clinical presentation resembling obstructive airway disease. Nonetheless, the patient did not exhibit improvement with initial therapy and began to deteriorate. Subsequent assessment using a bronchoscope unveiled tracheomalacia alongside hyperdynamic airway collapse, effectively addressed through the advancement of the tracheostomy tube. Following treatment, the patient was safely discharged home. In conclusion, healthcare providers must consider tracheomalacia as a potential etiology of airway obstruction in tracheostomized patients.
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