TRACHEAL NEURILEMOMA SIMULATING STATUS-ASTHMATICUS IN A CHILD

Background. Neurilemoma is a benign tumor that is rarely located in th e trachea. A neurilemoma in the intrathoracic part of the trachea can mimic severe status asthmaticus. Case report. A 14 year-old girl was a dmitted because of persistent signs of status asthmaticus, despite bro nchodilator therapy. She had no history of asthma. A worsening of the wheezing while she was in the intensive care unit led to intubation an d respiratory support. X-rays showed pneumomediastinum. A dramatic imp rovement only followed replacement of the intratracheal tube. On the 5 th day of the disease, tracheoscopy showed a sessile tumor obstructing two-thirds of the lumen, 3 cm above carena. Biopsy showed the tumor t o be a neurilemoma; it was excised. Scar tissue developed and was resp onsible for stenosis; it required laser therapy and an endotracheal pr osthesis. Neither the girl nor her parents showed signs of neurofibrom atosis. Conclusions. An intrathoracic tracheal tumor can produce asthm atoid wheezing. A definitive diagnosis can be made only by tracheoscop y.