Fourteen-year-old girl with endobronchial carcinoid tumour presenting with asthma and lobar emphysema

  1. Julie Bjerglund Andersen1,
  2. Jann Mortensen1,
  3. Karen Damgaard2,
  4. Marianne Skov3,
  5. Jørgen Sparup4,
  6. Bodil Laub Petersen5,
  7. Catherine Rechnitzer3,
  8. Lise Borgwardt1,*

Article first published online: 22 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-699X.2009.00149.x

Issue

The Clinical Respiratory Journal

The Clinical Respiratory Journal

Volume 4, Issue 2, pages 120–124, April 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Andersen, J. B., Mortensen, J., Damgaard, K., Skov, M., Sparup, J., Petersen, B. L., Rechnitzer, C. and Borgwardt, L. (2010), Fourteen-year-old girl with endobronchial carcinoid tumour presenting with asthma and lobar emphysema. The Clinical Respiratory Journal, 4: 120–124. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-699X.2009.00149.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, København Ø, Denmark

  2. 2

    Department of Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, København Ø, Denmark

  3. 3

    Department of Paediatrics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, København Ø, Denmark

  4. 4

    Department of Thoracic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, København Ø, Denmark

  5. 5

    Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, København Ø, Denmark

*L. Borgwardt MD, PhD, Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital 2100 København Ø, Denmark. Tel: +45 3545 4011 Fax: +45 3545 4015 email: borgwardtpet@rh.dk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 MAR 2010
  2. Article first published online: 22 JUN 2009
  3. Received: 18 April 2009Revision requested: N/AAccepted: 01 May 2009

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Keywords:

  • asthma;
  • bronchial carcinoid tumour;
  • emphysema;
  • paediatrics

Abstract

Introduction:  Bronchial carcinoid tumours seldom occur in children, and represent a rare cause of pulmonary obstruction. Because of low clinical suspicion and the variable ways of presentation, diagnosis may be delayed.

Objectives:  We report on a patient with this tumour. It is hoped that increased awareness of the tumour can lead to earlier diagnosis.

Methods:  Report of a case.

Results:  This case describes a 14-year-old previously healthy girl, presenting with asthma-like symptoms throughout 2 years, decreased lung function and emphysema in left lower lobe on chest x-ray. Computerized tomography (CT) showed an intraluminal process in the left main bronchus and emphysema in both the upper and lower left lobe and showed no signs of metastasis or spread to lung tissue. Bronchoscopy showed an inflammatory polyp. Surgical resection demonstrated a typical carcinoid tumour. Later control biopsy revealed no persisting malignant tissue. The asthma symptoms returned and a new bronchoscopy showed scarring and narrowing of the left bronchus. Treatment comprised of dilatation by bronchoscopy plus daily combination corticosteroids and beta-2-agonist inhalation and the symptoms improved. No signs of relapse 16 months postdiagnosis.

Conclusions:  The case clearly shows the delay, which is common in the diagnosis of children with bronchial carcinoid tumours. Symptoms of the obstructive nature of the tumour are variable and might present as emphysema seen on x-ray and CT. Carcinoid tumour should be considered in children with longstanding pulmonary symptoms with no response to conventional treatment. Prognosis is good but long-term follow up is needed.

Please cite this paper as: Andersen JB, Mortensen J, Damgaard K, Skov M, Sparup J, Petersen BL, Rechnitzer C and Borgwardt L. Fourteen-year-old girl with endobronchial carcinoid tumour presenting with asthma and lobar emphysema. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 120–124.

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