Misdiagnosed Bronchial Carcinoid: Dyspnoea and Wheeze Case Report
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Misdiagnosed Case of Bronchial Carcinoid Presenting with Refractory Dyspnoea and Wheeze: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Avradip Santra, Pravati Dutta, Sudarsan Pothal, Rekha Manjhi
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Misdiagnosed Case of Bronchial Carcinoid Presenting with Refractory Dyspnoea and Wheeze: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature
Year: 2013
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
A bronchial carcinoid is a rare tumor in the respiratory system and is recognized as the most common benign tumor of the tracheobronchial tree. Typically presenting with symptoms like hemoptysis and cough, bronchial carcinoids can occasionally manifest atypically with persistent wheezing and dyspnea, leading to misdiagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. This case study describes a 59-year-old male smoker who experienced ongoing respiratory symptoms for two years and was treated for COPD before the correct diagnosis of bronchial carcinoid was established.
Misdiagnosis of Bronchial Carcinoid
The case highlights the pivotal issue of misdiagnosis related to bronchial carcinoids, often confused with common respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD. The patient presented with symptoms of dyspnea and wheezing, continuing despite standard treatment for COPD with bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Diagnostic imaging including CT scans and bronchoscopy eventually revealed an endobronchial polypoid mass entirely occluding the left main bronchus. Histological examination confirmed a diagnosis of typical carcinoid tumor, emphasizing the need for healthcare practitioners to consider alternative diagnoses when patients exhibit resistance to conventional asthma or COPD treatments, particularly if they show localized wheezing.
Conclusion
This case underscores an essential reminder in clinical practice: persistent wheezing and respiratory symptoms should prompt thoughtful consideration of potential underlying causes beyond the usual diagnoses of asthma or COPD. The diagnosis of bronchial carcinoids necessitates appropriate imaging and investigative procedures when initial treatments fail, initiating a correct diagnosis that can lead to effective surgical intervention and improved patient outcomes. Recognizing that "all wheezes are not asthma" is crucial in avoiding the pitfalls of misdiagnosis and ensuring patients receive the accurate treatment they need.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What symptoms did the 59-year-old male patient experience?
The patient experienced persistent wheezing, occasional coughing, and gradually progressive dyspnea for two years, which worsened despite treatment for COPD.
How was the bronchial carcinoid diagnosed in the patient?
A chest X-ray was normal, but a CT scan revealed a mass in the left main bronchus, which was confirmed by bronchoscopy and biopsy showing features of bronchial carcinoid.
What erroneous diagnosis did the patient receive before the correct one?
The patient was initially misdiagnosed and treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while his actual condition was bronchial carcinoid causing wheezing.
What is the treatment approach for bronchial carcinoid tumors?
The preferred treatment for bronchial carcinoid tumors is surgical resection, which can include procedures like lobectomy or sleeve resection, depending on tumor location.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Misdiagnosed Bronchial Carcinoid: Dyspnoea and Wheeze Case Report”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Disease:
Bronchial carcinoid is a type of disease characterized by a tumor originating in the respiratory system, specifically in the bronchi. This disease can present with symptoms similar to other respiratory issues like bronchial asthma or COPD, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
2) Cancer:
Bronchial carcinoids are classified as a form of cancer, with these tumors often being benign but part of the broader category of neuroendocrine tumors. Cancer symptoms can include wheezing, coughing, and respiratory distress.
3) Table:
[see source text or glossary: Table]
4) Blood:
A complete blood count in the patient revealed abnormalities such as leukocytosis and hypoalbuminaemia, indicative of underlying pathology related to the bronchial carcinoid disease, influencing treatment considerations in medicine.
5) Post:
Postoperative management is crucial following surgery for bronchial carcinoid, as patients typically require ongoing medication to manage symptoms effectively and ensure a good quality of life.
6) Male:
The case report centers on a 59-year-old male, illustrating that bronchial carcinoids can occur in older males, highlighting the importance of vigilance for this cancer despite other common diagnoses.
7) Bronchial asthma:
Patients with bronchial carcinoid often initially present with symptoms resembling bronchial asthma, which can lead to misunderstandings in diagnosis. Proper investigation is necessary to differentiate between bronchial asthma and bronchial carcinoids.
8) Merchant:
[see source text or glossary: Merchant]
9) Bleeding:
In some cases of bronchial carcinoid, there can be concerns about bleeding during procedures like bronchoscopy, though these are typically not noted as major complications in the literature.
10) Kumar:
[see source text or glossary: Kumar]
11) Patil:
[see source text or glossary: Patil]
12) Tree:
The bronchial tree is the anatomical structure where bronchial carcinoid tumors develop, making the understanding of this tree crucial for diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases.
13) Pain:
[see source text or glossary: Pain]
14) Pur:
The patient exhibited poor response to initial COPD treatments, prompting further investigation which eventually led to the diagnosis of bronchial carcinoid cancer.
15) Life:
The diagnosis and successful treatment of bronchial carcinoid can significantly affect the quality of life for patients, emphasizing the importance of accurate and timely medical intervention.
16) Young women (Young woman):
[see source text or glossary: Young woman]
17) Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is generally not effective for bronchial carcinoids unless they are atypical or metastatic; surgical intervention remains the primary treatment option for managing this type of cancer.
18) Tuberculosis:
When diagnosing bronchial carcinoids, tuberculosis must be considered as a differential diagnosis, particularly when patients present with respiratory symptoms similar to those seen in bronchial cancer.
19) Arrangement:
[see source text or glossary: Arrangement]
20) Discussion:
Discussion of bronchial carcinoids is vital in understanding their clinical presentation, management strategies, and incorporation of findings from various studies into medical practice.
21) Medicine:
In the field of medicine, recognizing the specific characteristics of bronchial carcinoid disease can prevent misdiagnosis and ensure patients receive appropriate treatment effectively.
22) Activity:
[see source text or glossary: Activity]
23) Relative:
[see source text or glossary: Relative]
24) Family:
Family history may not show a direct link to the development of bronchial carcinoids, but understanding familial patterns can help in assessing risk factors for cancer.
25) Edema (Oedema):
Oedema may present in cases of bronchial carcinoids due to associated respiratory distress, affecting the patient's overall health and necessitating a comprehensive medical approach.
26) Fever:
[see source text or glossary: Fever]
27) Study (Studying):
Multiple studies have illustrated the characteristic presentation and effective treatment options for bronchial carcinoids, providing vital information for medical professionals dealing with these patients.
28) Arya:
[see source text or glossary: Arya]
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Misdiagnosed Bronchial Carcinoid: Dyspnoea and Wheeze Case Report’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Bronchial asthma, Time gap, Asthma, Clinical examination, Patient symptoms, Symptomatic relief, Case report, CT scan, Surgical resection, Surgical Procedure, Forced expiratory volume, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chest X-ray, Computed tomography scan, Bronchial obstruction, Surgical therapy, Lymph Node, Lung cancer, Cigarette smoking, Bronchoscopy, Benign tumor, Metastatic disease, Positron Emission Tomography, Small cell carcinoma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pulmonary medicine, Systemic corticosteroid, Thoracic surgeon, Computed tomography (CT) scan, Five-year survival rate, Primary tumor, Airway disease, COPD, Tumor location, Chromogranin A, Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Lung parenchyma, Obstructive airway disease.