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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration E-TTNA for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
Asymptomatic tracheal MALT lymphoma discovered on spirometric findings presenting with elevated respiratory
Naoki Kadota1, Tsutomu Shinohara2, Hisanori Machida3
1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, National Hospital Organization National Kochi Hospital, 1-2-25 Asakuranishimachi, Kochi, 780-8077, Japan. naoki_kadota.usa@kta.biglobe.ne.jp.
Background:
Central airway obstruction (CAO) may be caused by various etiologies. However, conventional chest X-rays are rarely diagnostic for patients with CAO.
Case Presentation:
We here described a 64-year-old asymptomatic female with tracheal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma discovered on spirometric findings during a complete physical examination. The plateau of forced expiratory flow was consistent with CAO. A decreased peak expiratory flow rate was noted at least 3 years before the diagnosis, and was attributed to an insufficient effort by the patient. Impulse oscillometric measurements, which were taken during quiet breathing and were effort-independent, suggested elevated respiratory resistance. These abnormalities completely disappeared after radiation therapy.
Conclusion:
The addition of impulse oscillometry to spirometry may be useful for screening CAO in routine health examinations.
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