Congenital segmental absence of tracheal rings

Summary 

Tracheomalacia is a well-described phenomenon in children with oesophageal anomalies, especially tracheo-oesophageal fistula, but congenital absence of cartilaginous tracheal rings is very rare. In the two patients with oesophageal atresia described in this report, bronchoscopy and radiological findings showed an abnormal segment of trachea. In this segment, the cartilaginous rings were absent, with bronchoscopic appearances resembling normal oesophagus. One patient was treated with a tracheostomy and the other by insertion of a balloon-expandable metal stent. They are both alive, aged three years and five years, respectively.

Keywords: Tracheal rings, Congenital anomaly, Tracheomalacia, Cartilage, Dyschondroplasia