Solitary neurofibroma of the trachea

The patient was a 60-year-old white male who, for 18 months, had complained of a substernal wheeze on exertion, exertional dyspnoea and cough, and attacks of acute respiratory distress. There was no haemoptysis or dyshpagia and he was treated for bronchial asthma until bronchoscopy revealed the tumour which had not been recognized in plain chest films. He showed no evidence of a neurofibromatosis and apart from reduction in pulmonary function tests on a PO2 of 74, his laboratory tests were negative. There was no family history of neurofibromatosis. He underwent thoracotomy and a smooth rounded pedunculated tumour, 2.5 cm in diameter, arising from the posterior wall of the trachea, 3 cm above the carina was excised. He has had no tumour recurrence.