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Glomus tumor of the trachea
Shang-Tao Chien1, Tai-Min Lee, Jane-Yi Hsu
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Military General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC. chienstkl@seed.net.tw
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
|December 3, 2003
Summary
This case report details an extremely rare tracheal glomus tumor in a woman with chronic cough and dyspnea. Diagnosis involved bronchoscopy and CT, revealing a polypoid mass with extraluminal extension.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Surgical Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Glomus tumors are rare neoplasms typically arising in the skin, with tracheal involvement being exceptionally uncommon.
- Fewer than 20 cases of tracheal glomus tumors have been documented in medical literature.
- This highlights the rarity and diagnostic challenge of such presentations.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of cough and dyspnea, and acute hemoptysis.
- Bronchoscopy and CT imaging revealed a polypoid tumor within the trachea, extending both intraluminally and extraluminally.
- The tumor was situated 9 cm below the vocal cord and 1.5 cm above the carina, measuring 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm, originating from the posterior tracheal wall.
Findings:
- Microscopic examination showed a uniform cell population surrounding vascular spaces.
- Immunohistochemical staining revealed weak positivity for muscle actin (HHF-35) in scattered tumor cells.
- Ultrastructural analysis confirmed sparse myofibrillar bundles and characteristic pinocytotic vesicles, supporting a glomus tumor diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of rare tracheal neoplasms.
- Accurate diagnosis requires a combination of imaging, bronchoscopy, and detailed histopathological and ultrastructural analysis.
- Early recognition and surgical management are crucial for patients with symptomatic tracheal glomus tumors.