Valsalva Maneuver during Computed Tomography for the Diagnosis of Tracheal Diverticulum: A Case Report

Tracheal diverticula constitute a subtype of paratracheal air cysts that are characterized by a connection with the trachea through a thin neck. Patients with tracheal diverticulum rarely develop symptoms and are usually diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) performed for an unrelated indication. However, identifying the communication with the trachea on imaging may be challenging. This report presents the case of a patient who was diagnosed, incidentally, with a paratracheal air cyst on thoracic CT. The paratracheal air cyst was recognized as a tracheal diverticulum by having the patient perform the Valsalva maneuver during CT. This case suggests the use of this technique for the differential diagnosis of tracheal diverticula from other paratracheal air cysts.