A 37-Year-Old Man With Dyspnea, Bilateral Lung Consolidation, and a Tracheal Mass

A 37-year-old man presented to the ED with symptoms of productive cough, self-reported fever, and shortness of breath for the past 15 days. He was placed on noninvasive mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress. IV piperacillin-tazobactam and inhaled bronchodilators were promptly administered, and he was subsequently transferred to the respiratory ICU for further care. He had no history of bowel and bladder disturbance, altered sensorium, swelling of feet, or abdominal distention. He never used tobacco and denied a history of TB. Medical history was notable for recurrent hospitalizations and administration of multiple courses of antibiotics in the past for similar complaints. He often used inhaled bronchodilators/corticosteroids when clinically stable to relieve symptoms.