Unusual Cause of Wheezing in a Middle-Aged Woman: A Case Report

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 8; p. e66004
• Main Authors: Karimi, Rayhan, Adlakha, Arun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 02-08-2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Asthma; Biopsy; Bronchitis; Bronchoscopy; Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery; Case reports; Dyspnea; Hemoptysis; Lymphatic system; Medical imaging; Metastasis; Neuroendocrine tumors; Oncology; Ostomy; Patients; Pneumonia; Pulmonology; Thoracic surgery; synaptophysin; chromogranin a; lobectomy; endobronchial carcinoid tumor; recurrent pneumonia
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66004

Endobronchial carcinoid tumors, a subset of neuroendocrine tumors, represent a rare but significant entity within pulmonary neoplasms, constituting less than 2% of all lung cancers. Our case report details the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 56-year-old female patient who presented with intermittent wheezing, mucoid cough, and recurrent pneumonia. Initial imaging and bronchoscopy identified an obstructive mass in the left lower bronchus. Histopathological examination of the bronchoscopic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a typical endobronchial carcinoid tumor. The patient underwent a successful left lower lobe lobectomy of the lung through left thoracotomy with regional and mediastinal lymph node dissection. Follow-up evaluations demonstrated no recurrence post-treatment. This case highlights the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic strategies associated with endobronchial carcinoid tumors, emphasizing the efficacy of a multidisciplinary approach in achieving favorable outcomes.