2003 Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages 325-329
Background. Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in women are peripheral type. Therefore, we consider the present case with complete atelectasis of the left lung to be a rare case. Case. An 84-year-old woman was admitted complaining of increased shortness of breath.Complete atelectasis of the left lung was revealed on chest X-ray film. A chest CT scan showed an obstruction of the left main bronchus and we performed bronchoscopic examination, thinking the obstruction might be due to mucoid impaction because of her past history of bronchial asthma. Subsequently, an irregular white-coated tumorous lesion was recognized in the left main bronchus and biopsy showed it to be hilar type squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Conclusion. When cases showing complete atelectasis in the unilateral lung field are encountered, it is important to perform a bronchoscopic examination and to consider that hilar type squamous cell carcinoma could be the cause of obstruction.
