Tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma masquerading asthma: a case report - PubMed (original) (raw)

Tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma masquerading asthma: a case report

Nurdan Kokturk et al. BMC Pulm Med. 2004.

Abstract

Background: Tracheal tumors are often misdiagnosed as asthma and are treated with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators without resolution.

Case presentation: Here, a patient with tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma who had been previously diagnosed with difficult asthma was reported. The possibility of the presence of localized airway obstruction was raised when the flow-volume curve suggesting fixed airway obstruction, was obtained.

Conclusion: The presenting case report emphasizes the fact that not all wheezes are asthma. It is critical to bear in mind that if a patient does not respond to appropriate anti-asthma therapy, localized obstructions should be ruled out before establishing the diagnosis of asthma.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Flow-volume curve displays suggestive fixed airway obstruction

Figure 2

Figure 2

a) Chest CT scan displays a polypoid mass occupying 50 % of the lumen. b) Control CT scan displays resolution of the tumor

Figure 3

Figure 3

Bronchoscopic examination reveals polypoid mass originating from trachea with a 50 % obstruction of the lumen.

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Allen MS. Malignant Tracheal Tumors. Mayo Clin Proc. 1993;68:680–4. - PubMed
    1. Tastepe AI, Kuzucu A, Demircan S, Liman TS, Demirag F. Surgical Treatment of Tracheal Hamartoma. Scand Cardiovasc J. 1998;32:239–241. doi: 10.1080/14017439850140030. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Pando Pinto JM, Vega Cuadri A, Montero Garcia C, Blasco Huelva A. Primary Carcinoma Of The Trachea. Report of 2 Cases. An Otorrinolaringol Ibero Am. 2000;27:595–604. - PubMed
    1. Stack PS, Steckler RM. Tracheal Neurilemmoma: Case Report and Review Of The Literature. Head And Neck. 1990;12:436–439. - PubMed
    1. Turay UY, Ergun P, Topcu S, Kurul C, Aydogdu M, Demirag F, Erdogan Y. A Case Of Tracheal Neurilemmoma Treated As Bronchial Asthma. Turkish Respir J. 2002;3:79–82.

LinkOut - more resources