Tracheal schwannoma as a mimic of bronchial asthma

Thomas R, Christopher DJ, Thangakunam B, Samuel R
Correspondence: Dr DJ Christopher, djchris@cmcvellore.ac.in

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.

Keywords: asthma, schwannoma, tracheal neoplasm
Singapore Med J 2012; 53(5): e95–e96