Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Plastic bronchitis caused by neoplastic infiltrates in a child
Tamar Kuperman1, Isaiah D Wexler, David Shoseyov
1Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Pediatric Pulmonology
|June 17, 2006
Summary
A child with pneumonia developed severe lung issues due to anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. This rare cancer caused bronchial obstruction and plastic bronchitis, highlighting the need for broader differential diagnoses in pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
Background:
- Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Plastic bronchitis is a rare condition characterized by the formation of large, cohesive casts in the bronchial tree.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old girl presented with pneumonia refractory to antibiotics, progressing to significant atelectasis.
- Diagnostic workup revealed ALCL with neoplastic cells in lymph node biopsy and pleural fluid.
- Bronchoscopy demonstrated near-complete left bronchial obstruction by tumor cell casts, consistent with plastic bronchitis.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates a rare presentation of ALCL causing plastic bronchitis in a pediatric patient.
- Neoplastic infiltration of the bronchi was the underlying cause of bronchial cast formation and obstruction.
- This highlights the importance of considering malignancy in pediatric plastic bronchitis cases unresponsive to standard treatment.
Implications:
- Malignant infiltration of the bronchi should be included in the differential diagnosis for pediatric plastic bronchitis.
- Early recognition and diagnosis of neoplastic causes can alter patient management and improve outcomes.
- This case underscores the diverse clinical manifestations of ALCL in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.