Confirmation of the mechanism of post-operative wheezing by chest CT scan in both inspiratory and expiratory phases

A 63-yr-old female with acute aortic dissection underwent emergency surgery. After admission to ICU, wheezing was heard over the chest with concomitant increase in peak airway pressure. Chest CT scan in both inspiratory and expiratory phases with positive airway pressure ventilation was performed. Tracheal lumen was significantly compressed by mediastinal haematoma in the expiratory phase. The chest CT scan in both inspiratory and expiratory phases was helpful to clarify the mechanism of this condition.