“Saber-Sheath” Trachea: A Clinical and Functional Study of Marked Coronal Narrowing of the Intrathoracic Trachea

Abstract

Data are presented from thirteen patients with marked coronal narrowing of the intrathoracic trachea associated with widening of the corresponding sagittal diameter. The term "saber-sheath" trachea describes this deformity which can simulate a mediastinal mass. The absence of mediastinal masses and the presence of obstructive pulmonary abnormalities in each patient, either as a clinical diagnosis (11 of 13), functional abnormality (10 of 11) or both (8 of 11), suggest that the "saber-sheath" trachea may be a useful sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.