Primary endobronchial schwannoma

Abstract

Primary intrabronchial neurilemmas, also called schwannomas, are extremely rare tumors that originate from Schwann cells. We report a case of intrabronchial schwannoma arising in the left main bronchus in an 8-year-old child. The diagnosis was made by bronchofiberscopic biopsy. Although the tumor was benign, the patient was subjected to left pneumonectomy because of destruction of the pulmonary parenchyma distal to the obstruction. The diagnosis of intrabronchial schwannoma was supported pathologically with characteristic findings on Antoni A and Antoni B areas. This case is unique in that it is the youngest case in the literature. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.