Incidental Detection of a Tracheal Bronchus in a Patient with Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia

A tracheal bronchus (TB) is a bronchial anomaly originating from the tracheal wall just above the main carina, before the bifurcation into the right and left main bronchi. Advancements in computed tomography and bronchoscopy technologies have led to a significant increase in the number of diagnosed cases. TB can be asymptomatic and detected incidentally but it may also be associated with certain cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary anomalies. Pneumocystis jirovecii, previously classified as a protozoan, is now classified as an opportunistic fungus. Like other opportunistic fungi, it typically causes infection in immunocompromised patients, and it is generally not expected to be pathogenic in immunocompetent individuals. In this case report, we describe the patient who was evaluated due to bilateral infiltrates in the lungs, where TB was detected during further evaluation. Following advanced diagnostic tests, the patient was diagnosed with P. jirovecii pneumonia, and the case is discussed in the context of the current literature.

Keywords: Broncopulmonary anomalies, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Pneumonia, Tracheal bronchus.