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Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea in an infant: a case report
P Contencin1, L C Gumpert, A Cortez
1Service d'ORL, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Faculté de Médecine X., Bichat, Paris, France.
Insights
Primary tracheal tumors are exceptionally rare in infants. This case details an infant with invasive squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting the challenges in diagnosis and treatment of rare pediatric airway malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Rare Diseases
Background:
- Primary malignant tracheal tumors are exceedingly rare in infants, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Early symptoms like stridor and persistent 'bronchitis' can mimic common childhood respiratory illnesses.
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in persistent pediatric respiratory symptoms.
Observation:
- An 11-month-old infant presented with severe dyspnea, stridor, and a history of recurrent bronchitis.
- Physical examination revealed a palpable neck mass, and imaging confirmed a large, exophytic tracheal tumor.
- Endoscopic evaluation showed the tumor obstructing over 80% of the tracheal lumen.
Findings:
- The infant was diagnosed with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea, a first reported case in an infant in English literature.
- Surgical resection of the trachea and subtotal thyroidectomy with primary anastomosis was performed.
- Despite initial surgery, local recurrence was detected via MRI, leading to a fatal outcome at 16 months.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for heightened clinical suspicion for rare pediatric tracheal malignancies.
- It emphasizes the aggressive nature of infant tracheal cancers and the limited treatment options.
- Further research into early detection and novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric tracheal tumors is warranted.
Abstract:
Primary malignant tumours of the trachea are extremely rare in infants. This report describes an 11-month-old boy suffering from severe dyspnea with a 5-month history of stridor and 'bronchitis'. A hard mass could be palpated below the right lobe of the thyroid gland. Roentgenograms and endoscopy showed an exophytic tumour filling more than 80% of the tracheal lumen. A tracheal resection and a subtotal thyroidectomy with primary anastomosis was performed. An invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea was diagnosed. This is the first reported case in an infant in the English literature. A local recurrence was found on MRI 19 weeks later. The infant died at 16 months of age.