In a bizarre incident, a man in eastern China discovered dozens of tooth-like growths inside his throat after suffering from shortness of breath.
Doctors from Jangsu Province found hard nodular objects, in shape of tine teeth, along the patient’s airways during a check-up.
The condition, known as Tracheobroncheopathia Osteochondroplastica (TO), is extremely rare as there have been less than 400 cases reported worldwide.
According to Kan Kan News, Zhang, who had been working away from home started feeling short of breath about six months back. Dr Zhu Xiangping, from Jiangsu Subei People's Hospital, conducted a biopsy for Mr Zhang and found an accumulation of bony and cartilaginous nodules in his trachea.
While the cause of the disease is yet unknown, a case report in the US stated that it was related to skin cancer. According to doctors, the lumps were benign.
There has been less than 10 cases of Tracheobroncheopathia Osteochondroplastica in China, and less than 400 cases around the world.
The bony nodules grew along the patient's airway up to 10 millimetres (0.39 inches), triggering coughs and blood in mucus.
As the number of nodules increased, the patient will also suffer shortness of breath.
