A 14-year-old boy with endobronchial carcinoid tumor presenting with asthma

Article information

Kosin Med J. 2017;32(2):221-226

Publication date (electronic) : 2017 January 19

doi : https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2017.32.2.221

Yunmo Gu , Youngjin Hwang , Sung Won Kim

Department of Pediatrics, Busan St. Mary’s Hospital, Busan, Korea

Corresponding Author: Sung Won Kim. Department of Pediatrics, Busan St. Mary’s Hospital, 25-14, Yongho-ro 232 beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan 48575, Korea Tel: +82-51-933-7981, Fax: +82-51-936-7531, E-mail: sbdph1@daum.net

Received 2015 August 18; 2015 August 28; Accepted 2015 October 26.

Abstract

Introduction

Bronchial carcinoid tumors seldom occur in children, sometimes mistaken for a minor disease and diagnosed slowly. Materials and Methods: We report on a patient who diagnose tumors slowly because confused with asthma.

Results

This case describes a 14-year-old boy, presenting with asthma-like symptoms throughout 3 years. He was treated as asthma but wax and wane. Chest x-ray showed an hyperlucent left lung, so we rechecked high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for unilateral hyperinflation diseases diagnosis. It was found 1×1㎝ nodule in left main bronchus. We did bronchoscopy and discovered a round mass in the left bronchus, 2∼3㎝ away from carina. In the biopsy, it was bronchial carcinoid tumor, so we resected tumor.

Discussion

Because symptoms of bronchial carcinoid tumors are various, it can often be misdiagnosed firstly. It is confused with asthma, pneumonia and foreign body. An additional examination were necessary when respiratory symptoms persist.

Keywords: Bronchial; Carcinoid; Tumor

Fig. 1.

Spirometry shows obstructive lung disease with hypersensitivity of air way.

Fig. 2.

Chest x-ray shows both lung hyperinflation with Left lung hyperlucent lung field.

Fig. 3.

High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) shows an endobronchial nodule in Left main brohcus (1 x 1 cm).

Fig. 4.

Bronchoscopy before surgery shows a tumor obstructed left main bronchus from carina.

Fig. 5.

Bronchoscopy after surgery shows bronchus resected a tumor.

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