Necrotizing tracheobronchitis: case report

A 33-week-gestation infant with respiratory distress syndrome is reported. At five days of age, acute life-threatening tracheal obstruction occurred, which was relieved after removal of a plug during bronchoscopy. Histologic examination of the plug revealed partially necrotic tracheal mucosa, compatible with the diagnosis of necrotizing tracheobronchitis. At 31 days of age, obstruction recurred due to the development of a tracheal stricture, which resolved after tracheal reintubation (to maintain patency) and corticosteroid therapy. Tracheal stricture may be a long-term complication of necrotizing tracheobronchitis, when the initial episode does not lead to death from obstruction.