[Endobronchial neurinoma treated with left lower lobectomy]

Benign endobronchial tumors are rare, and among these endobronchial neurinoma is extremely rare. We describe a case of endobronchial neurinoma successfully treated with left lower lobectomy. A 58-year-old man presented with an 8-month history of cough. During this period he was repeatedly treated with antibiotics for pneumonia of the left lower lobe. Chest X-ray showed atelectasis of the left lower lobe. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed a mass in the left main and lower lobe bronchi. Bronchoscopy revealed the mass almost completely obstructing the left main bronchus. Although transbronchial biopsy was inconclusive and yielded necrotic tissue with Aspergillus hyphae, lung cancer was highly suspected based on clinical and radiographic findings. He underwent left lower lobectomy and was discharged 14 days after surgery in good condition. Pathological diagnosis was an endobronchial neurinoma 4 cm in size arising from the left basal bronchus. On immunohistochemical staining, the tumor was positive for S-100 protein and negative for a-smooth muscle actin. He took itraconazole at a daily dose of 200 mg orally for 6 months. He remains well 52 months after surgery without any evidence of recurrence.