INTRODUCTION
Primary tracheal tumors are rare. Commonly tracheal neoplasms are either
squamous cell carcinoma or adenoid cystic carcinoma.1Tracheal Schwannoma are extremely rare and are more often found in the
lungs and bronchi.2 Schwannoma’s are tumors that
originate from tumorigenic Schwann cells attributed to loss-of-function
mutations of NF type2 tumor suppressor gene.3 Standard
treatment has not been established yet. Endoscopic resection has been
widely used as a treatment modality but recurrence has always been a
possibility. Previous literature has shown that optimal treatment is
surgical resection and anastomosis of the involved trachea. Cases such
as multiple tracheal schwannoma,4 transmural tracheal
schwannoma,2,5 transmural schwannoma of trachea
compressing the esophagus6 and plexiform schwannoma
involving trachea and left recurrent laryngeal nerve7have been reported which were all treated by resection and anastomosis
of involved trachea.
We report a similar case of transmural tracheal schwannoma with
extraluminal component of tumor extending into the left lobe of thyroid.
Initially Nd:YAG laser ablation was performed to relieve the airway
obstruction. Patient later underwent surgical resection with end to end
anastomosis of trachea with en-bloc resection of left thyroid lobe. This
case has been reported in line with the SCARE
criteria.8
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE : Tracheal Schwannoma are rare neoplasms and
can have spectrum of clinical presentation which causes diagnostic
dilemma and delay in diagnosis. So far, tracheal resection and
anastomosis has been the optimal management and follow up is essential.