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Saber-sheath trachea

Case contributed by Stefan Tigges
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Hyperinflated lungs, tracheal narrowing in the coronal plane at the level of the aortic arch.

ct

"Saber-sheath" trachea and moderate to severe centrilobular emphysema.

Case Discussion

This is a nice example of a "saber-sheath" trachea with narrowing of the trachea in the coronal plane and preservation/widening in the sagittal plane. A saber-sheath trachea is pathognomonic for COPD: this is a good example with concomitant moderate/severe centrilobular emphysema.

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