A Case of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma in which Endobronchial Ultrasonography was Useful for the Evaluation of the Depth of Bronchial Wall Invasion

Abstract

We performed endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) in a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a low grade malignant tumor of the trachea and bronchi, and obtained ultrasound images useful for the evaluation of the depth of bronchial wall invasion. We treated the tumor by Nd-YAG laser coagulation. A 56-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea had a tumor in the right main bronchus. EBUS via bronchoscopy depicted the tumor as a low echoic mass with the cartilage inside the tumor. Since bronchial wall adventitia appeared unbroken; we thought the tumor in the bronchial wall was outside the cartilage, but within the adventitia. Following endobronchial coring out the tumor after a Nd-YAG laser coagulation, radiotherapy was performed. EBUS was useful not only for evaluation of the depth of invasion but also for real time visualization of the tumor.