Crohn's disease can occasionally affect the upper respiratory tract.
Patient selection: Crohn's disease (although tracheobronchitis may be the presenting finding)
Clinical features:
(1) tracheitis, bronchitis or tracheobronchitis which may patchy or diffuse
(2) cough, fever, hemoptysis, and/or dysphagia
(3) inflammation with thickening of the involved wall of the airway
Biopsy of an affected area shows chronic and granulomatous inflammation.
Further evaluation:
(1) exclusion of other causes
(2) improvement with therapy directed for Crohn's disease
