tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

osteocartilaginous nodules within submucosa of trachea +/- bronchi

arise from cartilage rings
- posterior membranous trachea spared (DDx: amyloidosis)
incidence debated; 1/3000 in autopsy series
etiology unknown (Ca & P normal), but most accepted theory is an exaggerated response to chronic inhalation of irritants
most cases in adults > 50 yrs old (youngest pt age 2 yrs)
M:F = 3:1
dyspnea, productive cough, hemoptysis

findings:

CXR: nodules in trachea +/- calcification
CT: as above, but more sensitive to calcification and better at demonstrating lack of posterior tracheal involvement