Tracheal diaphragm: a very unusual form of congenital tracheal stenosis

A 3.2-kg newborn was intubated for neonatal respiratory distress owing to a congenital tracheal stenosis. The preoperative assessment showed a sphincter-like stenosis located 1 cm above the carina. The child was cured by resection-anastomosis through sternotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass. The pathological examination showed hypoplastic cartilage islets embedded in a fibroelastic conjunctive tissue. The posterior membranous region was preserved with the existence of smooth muscle cells. This curious malformation resembled a diaphragm at the junction between trachea and carina.