Acute respiratory failure due to tracheobronchial involvement in Crohn's disease

Abstract

We present a case of tracheobronchial involvement in Crohn's disease, associated with respiratory failure leading to mechanical ventilation. Bronchoscopy revealed small, diffuse, whitish granulations and erythematous mucosa. Histopathology disclosed ulcerative bronchitis and noncaseating tuberculoid granuloma. The patient improved under a 6 week oral corticosteroid treatment followed by inhaled corticotherapy, without relapse of pulmonary symptoms.