Video-assisted thoracic surgery for an endobronchial ancient schwannoma obstructing the left main bronchus

Abstract

Abstract A schwannoma is a tumor that arises from the Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves. Primary pulmonary schwannomas are extremely rare, although they can occur anywhere in the body. Symptoms of endobronchial schwannoma vary depending upon the extent of bronchi blockage by the tumor. Schwannoma is a benign tumor. However, there is a risk of recurrence if a lesion that has developed extraluminal growth is incompletely resected. Here, a 76-year-old female patient presented with dyspnea and cough. An endobronchial tumor was identified originating from the left lower lobe bronchus and had collapsed the left lower lobe and grown to block most of the left main bronchus. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed to resect the left lower lobe. The tumor was diagnosed as an ancient schwannoma.