Bronchial Carcinoid: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors which are slow growing neuroendocrine tumors arising from Enterochromaffin (EC) cells, accounts for 10% of all carcinoid tumors. Mentioned here is a case report of 46 year old male with incidental finding on CXR of left hemithorax inhomogenous opacity and features suggestive of volume loss. CECT showed a well defined 2.5 × 1.5 cm circular intraluminal growth occluding the left main bronchus. Bronchoscopy revealed a red, shiny, smooth walled growth 1 cm beyond the carina in the left main bronchus, attached to the roof of the bronchial wall, causing ball valve mechanism. Histopathology and Cytology of needle aspiration from tumor confirmed the diagnosis of bronchial carcinoid. To avoid misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis of intrabronchial carcinoid a high index of suspicion should be maintained and radiological, brochoscopical and pathological investigations for accurate and early diagnosis must be undertaken.