Unexpected Bronchomalacia Combined with Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse was Diagnosed by Intraoperative Bronchoscopy: A Case Report

Abstract

Expiratory central airway collapse (ECAC) comprises tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC). ECAC is a progressive disease that can be congenital or acquired, and it can be confirmed by inspiratory-dynamic expiratory chest CT or dynamic bronchoscopy. We present the case of a 65-year-old man who underwent radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma under general anesthesia. After tracheal intubation in the operating room, the respiratory sound in the left lung disappeared, and the respiratory sound in the right lung was clear during chest auscultation. Bronchoscopy revealed complete collapse of the left main bronchus. Intraoperative bronchoscopy confirmed that the patient had ECAC (both TBM and EDAC).