Bronchial carcinoid in college freshman with persistent focal wheeze

To bring attention to a rare diagnosis in the pediatric population that is in the differential diagnosis for not well-controlled asthma.

Case presentation.

Pulmonary carcinoid tumors are rare and usually present late in adolescence. Most of these tumors are located in the proximal airways and symptoms may be similar to those of asthma including cough, wheeze, chest pain, or recurrent pneumonia.

Bronchial carcinoid should be in the differential diagnosis for adolescents with difficult to control asthma, who have symptoms including chronic cough and focal wheeze. Referral to a pulmonary specialist should be considered to help work up the differential diagnoses.