Multifocal peripheral bronchial carcinoid tumour

Peripheral bronchial carcinoids sometimes arise as single solid or nodular lesions in the periphery of the lung. We encountered a 74-year-old Japanese male with bronchial carcinoids that were widely disseminated throughout the lung parenchyma. Pulmonary function tests revealed mild airflow obstruction. A metastatic process was ruled out from primary malignancy and a histological examination revealed findings consistent with a peripheral bronchial carcinoid. Based on these findings, we concluded that this patient had a primary multifocal peripheral bronchial carcinoid. An immunohistochemical examination revealed immunoreactivity for chromogranin A and bombesin. The present case appears to be an unusual case of diffuse multifocal peripheral bronchial carcinoid, confirmed by immunohistochemistry.