UNUSUAL CAUSE OF ORTHOPNOEA - PRIMARY TRACHEAL TUMOR MIMICKING LEFT-VENTRICULAR FAILURE

An 84 year old woman who was a heavy smoker presented with clinical fe atures suggestive of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung di sease complicated by left ventricular failure. She responded poorly to treatment and then the finding of strider, only when she was in the s upine position, led to the diagnosis of a primary tracheal tumour, a r are but important cause of unexplained shortness of breath.