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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Primary benign bronchial schwannoma presenting as asthma
Moronke A Noah1, Mahul Gorecha, Richard K Firmin
1Cardio-Respiratory Directorate, Glenfield General Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom. moronke.noah@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Summary
Recurrent wheezing in children often indicates asthma. However, a 13-year-old boy’s persistent symptoms, unresponsive to bronchodilators, were caused by a bronchial schwannoma, a rare tumor.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Surgical Oncology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Recurrent wheezing in children is commonly attributed to asthma and typically responds to bronchodilator treatment.
- A 13-year-old male presented with a two-year history of presumed asthma refractory to standard bronchodilator therapy.
Observation:
- Diagnostic bronchoscopy was performed due to the lack of response to asthma treatment.
- The bronchoscopy identified a tumor obstructing the right main bronchus.
Findings:
- Surgical resection via sleeve lobectomy confirmed the mass as a bronchial schwannoma.
- This case highlights a rare cause of persistent respiratory symptoms in a pediatric patient.
Implications:
- Bronchial schwannomas, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients with persistent wheezing unresponsive to asthma treatment.
- Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing bronchial tumors.
- Further literature review is needed to understand the characteristics and management of bronchial schwannomas in children.
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