Tracheal schwannoma as a mimic of bronchial asthma

Singapore Med J. 2012 May;53(5):e95-6.

Abstract

Primary tracheal tumours are rare and less frequently observed than bronchial tumours. Primary neurogenic tumours of the trachea as schwannomas or neurilemmomas are extremely uncommon. We report a tracheal schwannoma in a female patient who presented with breathlessness and wheeze, and she was being treated for asthma. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed a large pedunculated tracheal mass and biopsy confirmed schwannoma. She was treated with laser ablation with partial reduction of the tumour. Subsequently, she was lost to follow-up, although resection of the tumour with tracheal reconstruction was planned.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma / diagnosis*
  • Biopsy
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnosis*
  • Neurilemmoma / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Respiratory Sounds / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Sounds / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Trachea / diagnostic imaging
  • Trachea / pathology*
  • Trachea / surgery
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / surgery