Tracheal hamartoma masquerading as asthma

Abstract

We present a rare case of a female non-smoker diagnosed with a large benign tracheal chondrohamartoma, masquerading as severe asthma. The patient was in her late 70s and had a history of asthma. She had presented to hospital with multiple episodes of intractable cough, shortness of breath and wheeze in the year prior to diagnosis. She had been managed for asthma for two decades by different physicians in primary care, based on documented airflow obstruction. Given her repeated admissions, the respiratory team was consulted. In view of the persistent cough despite maximal treatment, she was referred for a thoracic high-resolution CT scan which revealed a large intraluminal tracheal polypoid mass. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed and this confirmed the presence of a large pedunculated mass in the distal trachea. The patient subsequently underwent removal of the mass by means of rigid bronchoscopy, laser and electrocautery followed by argon ablation of residual tissue. She made an excellent recovery with full resolution of her respiratory symptoms and normalisation of her pulmonary function tests.