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Spontaneous coughing up of a polyp
M Terashima1, Y Nishimura, H Nakata
1Department of Respiratory Disease, Takatsuki General Hospital, Takatsuki, Japan.
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|March 8, 2000
Summary
A rare case of bronchial adenoma causing lung atelectasis resolved spontaneously when the patient coughed up the mass. This "autopolypectomy" led to the disappearance of right lower lobe atelectasis in an 18-year-old female.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Bronchial adenomas are rare tumors, typically presenting with obstructive symptoms.
- Right lower lobe atelectasis can result from bronchial obstruction.
Observation:
- An 18-year-old female presented with nonproductive cough and right lower lobe atelectasis.
- Fiberoptic bronchoscopy identified a pedunculated polyp in the right middle bronchus.
Findings:
- The patient spontaneously expectorated the bronchial polyp (autopolypectomy).
- Following polyp expulsion, the right lower lobe atelectasis resolved completely.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare instance of spontaneous resolution of a bronchial adenoma.
- Autopolypectomy is a potential, albeit uncommon, mechanism for resolving bronchial obstruction and associated atelectasis.