Acquired Tracheomegaly in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: A Literature Review

Tracheomegaly is defined as an abnormally dilated trachea and is seen in patients requiring long-standing mechanical ventilation and/or significant hyperinflation of their endotracheal or tracheostomy tube cuffs can occur in adults with severe COVID-19. Tracheomegaly is linked with inadequate nutrition, pneumonia, diabetes, hypotension, steroids, and protracted mechanical ventilation, which are common in COVID-19 patients. Findings include cuff leaks that necessitate cuff overinflation to maintain adequate tidal volumes. Tracheomegaly can be diagnosed with chest radiographs, chest computed tomography, bronchoscopy, or diagnostic laryngoscopy or tracheoscopy. This condition leads to a concern for obstruction, airway collapse, aspiration pneumonia, and iatrogenic tracheal injuries.