A multi detector computed tomography survey of tracheal diverticulum.

OBJECTIVE Tracheal diverticulum (DV) is an incidental finding in thoracic computed tomography examinations. Tracheal DV may be associated with chronic cough and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A few studies have investigated the relationship between tracheal DV and COPD. There is still no consensus on the relationship. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of tracheal DV and its coexistence with bronchial DV and hyperaeration. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the study, 299 patients from a total number of 12 800 patients who underwent a thoracic computed tomography examination were included. Tracheal diverticula were evaluated for localization, size, contour, wall thickness and communication with the tracheal lumen. The association of tracheal DV with bronchial DV and hyperaeration was also noted. The relationship between tracheal DV and hyperaeration was analyzed. RESULTS Of the 299 patients, a total of 412 tracheal diverticula were observed. Out of these, 148 of the tracheal diverticula were in females, and 264 of the tracheal diverticula were in male patients. The incidence of tracheal DV was determined to be 2.38% in this study. In total, 400 of the tracheal diverticula (97.1%) were located at the right posterolateral aspect of the trachea, and 320 of the tracheal diverticula were associated with hyperaeration. There was no significant relation between the tracheal DV and hyperaeration. However, 84 of 412 tracheal diverticula had a bronchial DV, and 72 of 84 of these bronchial DV were associated with COPD. Statistical analysis indicated a significant correlation with COPD and bronchial DV (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Tracheal DV is often asymptomatic and mostly located in the right posterolateral aspect of the trachea. Tracheal DV is more common in men than in women. The incidence of tracheal DV was 2.38% in this study. Our data demonstrate that there was no significant association between tracheal DV and COPD. However, there was a significant association between subcarinal bronchial DV and COPD.