Tracheal/bronchial rupture

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Lungs

Tracheal/bronchial rupture is a tear or break in the trachea (windpipe) or bronchial tubes, the major airways leading to the lungs. A tear can also occur in the tissue lining the windpipe.

Torn tracheal mucosa

The injury may be caused by infections, ulcerations due to foreign objects, and trauma, such as a gunshot wound or automobile accident.

Injuries to the trachea or bronchi also may occur during medical procedures (for example, fiberoptic bronchoscopy and placement of a breathing tube), but this is very uncommon.

Review Date: 11/13/2006
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.