Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

Last revised by Sebastian Röhrich on 6 Sep 2023

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a very rare idiopathic non-neoplastic tracheobronchial abnormality.

The estimated prevalence on routine bronchoscopy is up to 0.7%. It typically affects those in the 5th to 6th decades and there may be a male predilection 4

Most patients are asymptomatic. Those who have symptoms may present with cough, shortness of breath on exertion, wheezing or recurrent respiratory infection. Hemoptysis can occasionally result from ulceration of a nodule or an acute infection. 

Development of osseous and/or cartilaginous 1-8 mm nodules 2,3 in the submucosa of the trachea and bronchial walls. They may be either focal or diffuse. There is characteristic sparing of the posterior membranous portion of the trachea 6.

There are two theories of pathogenesis 5

  • ecchondrosis and exostosis from cartilage rings

  • cartilaginous and osseous metaplasia of the elastic tissue in the internal elastic fibrous membrane

  • classically affects the lower two-thirds of the trachea and proximal portions of the bronchi 4

  • only affects the anterior and lateral walls of trachea

Chest radiograph may show irregularity and narrowing of typically affected segments of trachea and bronchi.

  • irregular thickening and nodularity of tracheal cartilage, sparing the posterior (membranous) tracheal wall

  • small discrete endophytic nodules (typically ~3-8 mm) may be cartilaginous or calcific (ossified)

    • larger nodules may result in luminal narrowing, and should be specifically reported by location and degree of airway narrowing

    • diffuse airway narrowing is not typical

  • overall appearance is much more irregular compared to benign cartilage calcification

It is a benign condition and often no intervention is required in asymptomatic cases. Successful recovery with NSAIDS and dapsone have been reported in symptomatic cases. Overall prognosis is generally good and is dependent upon airway stenosis caused by nodules.  

Initially described in 1857 by Samuel Wilks (1824-1911), as "ossific deposits in the larynx, trachea and bronchi" in a 38-year-old-male who died of pulmonary tuberculosis 5. The condition was later termed "tracheopathia osteochondroplastica" in 1910 by German pathologist Karl Ludwig Aschoff (1866-1942) 5.

Imaging differential considerations include:

Tracheobronchial abnormalities that also spare the posterior wall:

  • relapsing polychondritis

    • like TO, spares posterior membranous tracheal wall

    • more likely smooth, hyperdense mural thickening 10

    • patients usually have other clinical findings of cartilaginous inflammation 10

Tracheobronchial abnormalities that involve the posterior wall:

  • granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)

    • unlike TO, classically circumferential involvement

    • the subglottic trachea is the most commonly affected area (involvement down to the main bronchi is possible)

    • ulcerations of the trachea are possible

  • tracheobronchial amyloidosis

    • unlike TO, classically circumferential involvement

    • may appear as focal or diffuse narrowing

  • post-intubation tracheal stenosis

    • focal involvement

    • irregular and concentric stenosis

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.