A Young Woman Presenting With a Post-traumatic Tracheal Wound

Abstract

Tracheobronchial injury is a rare but potentially fatal occurrence, with most cases resulting from penetrating trauma or blunt and iatrogenic injury during medical procedures such as endotracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, or surgery. Early recognition of clinical symptoms can help stratify patient risk and guide management, though these symptoms are often non-specific. We report the case of a 42-year-old patient who presented with post-traumatic chest pain from a sharp object. Radiographic investigation revealed pneumomediastinum and significant subcutaneous emphysema, while bronchial fibroscopy confirmed a wound on the posterior surface of the trachea. The patient underwent surgery with an uneventful postoperative course. Follow-up radiographic evaluation three weeks later showed healing of the tracheal wound and good clinical improvement.