THORACOSCOPIC EXCISION OF A PERIPHERAL CORTICOTROPIN-SECRETING PULMONARY CARCINOID-TUMOR

Bronchial carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms that aris e from the Kulchitsky cells of the bronchial epithelium. These tumors can manifest as central carcinoid tumors, pulmonary carcinoid tumorlet s, or peripheral carcinoid tumors. Occasionally, the peripheral carcin oid tumors produce corticotropin and result in Cushing's syndrome. Her ein we report the first case of Cushing's syndrome associated with a p eripheral pulmonary carcinoid tumor that was excised by video-assisted thoracoscopy. After excision, the patient had complete remission. Vid eo-assisted thoracoscopy may be ideal for resecting a peripheral pulmo nary carcinoid, especially in patients with debilitation but no eviden ce of metastasis.