Tracheomalacia
Tracheomalacia is a condition or incident where the cartilage that keeps the airway (trachea) open is soft such that the trachea partly collapses especially during increased airflow. This condition is most commonly seen in infants and young children. The usual symptom is stridor when a person breathes out. This is usually known as a collapsed windpipe.
| Tracheomalacia | |
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| (A) Tracheal structure with normal C-shape rings. (B) U-shaped rings with a wider posterior membrane, demonstrating posterior intrusion. (C) Bow-shaped rings with a broad posterior membrane and severe posterior intrusion. | |
| Pronunciation |
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| Specialty | Pulmonology |
| Symptoms | Wheezing, dyspnea and fatigue upon exertion Infants may show signs of cyanosis |
| Complications | Inability to propel secretions, leading to repeated cases of pneumonia |
| Types | Congenital (heart/great vessel malformations or tracheal anomalies) Acquired (secondary to trauma or tracheostomy) |
| Diagnostic method | Endoscopy (diagnostic); flexible laryngobronchoscopy (confirmation) |
| Prevention | Avoiding hard throat impacts |
| Treatment | Symptomatic management (PEEP or CPAP) for mild symptoms Surgery indicated for tracheal compression from large vessel or mass |
| Prognosis | Severe tracheomalacia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality |
The trachea normally opens slightly during breathing in and narrows slightly during breathing out. These processes are exaggerated in tracheomalacia, leading to airway collapse on breathing out.
If the condition extends further to the large airways (bronchi) (if there is also bronchomalacia), it is termed tracheobronchomalacia. The same condition can also affect the larynx, which is called laryngomalacia. The term is from trachea and the Greek μαλακία, softening