Necrotizing Tracheitis secondary to Corynebacterium species presenting with Central Airway Obstruction

Abstract

Pseudomembranous necrotizing tracheitis is a rare cause of life threatening central airway obstruction (CAO). Patients present with hoarseness, cough, dyspnea, wheezes, stridor and occasionally respiratory failure. Diagnosis requires high index of suspicion and should be confirmed with a comprehensive bronchoscopic examination and biopsy. For patients with signs and symptoms of airway obstruction, a therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy with mechanical debridement is recommended. We present a rare case of necrotizing tracheitis secondary to Corynebacterium species causing life threatening airway obstruction in an adult.