Uncommon Cause of Recurrent Pneumonias

Enormous Tracheal Diverticulum with Fistula

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v3i1.12

Keywords:

recurrent pneumonia, dysphagia, tracheal diverticulum, tracheal pseudo-diverticulum

Abstract

A patient who presented with sudden shortness of breath, stridor, and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was diagnosed with a tracheal diverticulum. The diagnosis was established through CT scans and confirmed via endoscopy. Distinctive CT findings revealed an air-filled, tubular structure located behind and slightly to the right lateral of the trachea, which communicated with it. Endoscopy demonstrated a narrow-mouthed diverticulum originating from the posterior right wall of the trachea, approximately 8 cm below the level of the true vocal cords. Successful medical treatment was administered, and the patient experienced an uncomplicated recovery.

Author Biographies

  • Frank Mosler, Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern

    Board-certified Radiologist & Neuroradiologist; Senior Consultant, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital

    Dr. med. Frank Mosler is a board-certified radiologist and neuroradiologist with more than 30 years of clinical and academic experience across major European university centers. He completed his medical education and early specialty training in radiology and neurosurgery at Charité University Hospital in Berlin. He later specialized in interventional neuroradiology at Alfried Krupp Hospital in Essen, where he also held senior leadership responsibilities.

    His professional career has included academic medicine, diagnostic and interventional radiology, neuroradiology, healthcare management, quality assurance, and scientific publishing in Germany and Switzerland. Since 2017, he has been affiliated with the Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology (DIPR) at Inselspital, Bern University Hospital.

    As Editor-in-Chief of the Swiss Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Dr. Mosler leads the journal's editorial and scientific strategy and holds overall responsibility for editorial policy, publication standards, scientific integrity, and final editorial decision-making.

    Institutional affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital
    Location: Bern, Switzerland
    ROR: 01q9sj412

  • Gerd Nöldge, Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Founding Editor & Honorary Editor
    Switzerland & Germany
    Senior Consultant Radiology, University Hospitals Heidelberg & Bern

    Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Nöldge is a renowned German radiologist and pioneer in interventional radiology. As former Senior Consultant at Heidelberg University Hospital, he made groundbreaking contributions to gastrointestinal artery embolization, for which he received the inaugural Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Prize in 1985. He played a key role in advancing kyphoplasty techniques for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, providing long-term evidence for the efficacy and stability of calcium phosphate cement in vertebral body augmentation.

    Prof. Nöldge has also significantly contributed to the clinical development and refinement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures, improving outcomes in patients with portal hypertension. His dedication to education and international collaboration has fostered enduring partnerships, including medical exchange programs with leading institutions in China.

    As Founding Editor of the Swiss Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Prof. Nöldge played a decisive role in the establishment and early development of SJORANM. His appointment as Honorary Editor recognizes his founding contribution, his longstanding scientific commitment, and his lasting importance to the journal. 

    Former institutional affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg – Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
    Location: Heidelberg, Germany & Bern, Switzerland
    ROR: 013czdx64

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SJORANM article cover, Vol. 3 No. 1 (2023). Holographic symbolic illustration for article 14.

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Published

2023-09-30

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Case reports

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Copyright (c) 2023 Frank Mosler; Nando Mertineit

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How to Cite

Mosler, F., Mertineit, N., Schröder, E., Caversaccio, M., von Werdt, M., & Nöldge, G. (2023). Uncommon Cause of Recurrent Pneumonias: Enormous Tracheal Diverticulum with Fistula. Swiss Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 3(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v3i1.12

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