Nonmalignant nerve sheath tumors of the upper airway in pediatric patients: Two ease reports and discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic tools

Nerve sheath tumors of the upper airway are extremely uncommon. Asthma, wit h its associated wheezing and dyspnea, is one of the most commonly encounte red respiratory diseases in the pediatric population. Perhaps as a conseque nce, tumors and other disorders affecting the upper airway, which often pre sent in a similar or identical manner to asthma, are commonly misdiagnosed. Since airway obstruction, bleeding, and ultimate respiratory failure are p otential complications of upper airway disease, timely diagnosis is critica l. We report two cases of peripheral nerve sheath tumor, one endotracheal, and one subglottic, with a twofold purpose: (1) as case reports of nonmalig nant nerve sheath tumor presenting in extremely uncommon locations, and (2) to emphasize the importance of history, physical examination, and diagnost ic testing in making a prompt and accurate diagnosis.