Barotrauma induced tracheal diverticulum rupture: imaging findings

Abstract

An elderly patient was admitted for a coronary artery bypass graft. The postoperative course was complicated by decompensated atrial fibrillation requiring repeat endotracheal intubation. On examination subcutaneous emphysema was noted, which progressed to involve the upper arms, cervical region and face. Chest X-ray and CT scan demonstrated subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum (figures 1 and 2). Fibre optic bronchoscopy revealed a normal tracheobronchial tree, without obvious orifices in the tracheal wall. A CT scan of the thorax revealed a tracheal diverticulum on the right posterolateral aspect of the …