Mounier-Kuhn syndrome masquerading pulmonary thromboembolism in an elderly male

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome, also referred to as tracheobronchomegaly, is a rare idiopathic clinical and radiologic disorder characterized by significant tracheobronchial dilation. It results in recurrent lower respiratory tract infections and bronchiectasis. In severe cases, patients may present with acute respiratory distress requiring hospital admission and ventilatory support. Clinical examination and chest radiography may be misleading in these patients as tracheobronchomegaly is easily overlooked on radiographs. We present an interesting report of our patient who presented with acute shortness of breath. A diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism was suggested by initial evaluation. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography was negative for thromboembolism; however, it revealed diagnosis of this rare disorder.