[Tracheal rupture initially masked by accidental bronchial intubation].

We report a case of tracheal rupture complicating a blunt chest trauma. As the endotracheal tube had been inadvertently inserted into the right bronchus, tracheal rupture was only suspected when increasingly severe subcutaneous emphysema occurred after mobilization of the tube. Bronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis. After surgical repair of the lesion the outcome was uneventful. Tracheal rupture is an uncommon lesion. All physical and radiological symptoms provide useful diagnostic orientation. In the patient of our case report, inadvertent bronchial intubation made artificial ventilation possible and probably prevented lethal outcome.