[A case of tracheal neurilemoma]

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of cough and severe exertional dyspnea. Her pulmonary function was remarkably decline, especially forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 410 ml (28.7%). A chest X-ray film showed an abnormal shadow in the right tracheobronchial portion. Chest CT and MRI scans showed a 38 x 46 mm round tumor in the carina involving the lower trachea and right main bronchus. Bronchoscopic examination revealed a submucosal tumor which obstructed the orfice of the right main bronchus. Pathological examination of tissue obtained by open excisional biopsy revealed a benign neurilemoma. Then we performed a tumor extirpation with tracheal partial resection and the defect of tracheobronchial wall was repaired by direct suture. Postoperative course was uneventful and her pulmonary function was improved. The tracheobronchial neurilemomas are rare. In this report we discuss the therapeutic management of a neurilemoma of the trachea on the basis of 12 domestic cases reviewed.