A Case of Benign Tracheal Schwannoma Treated with Tracheal Resection

Abstract

Background. We here report a case of surgical tracheal resection for a rare benign tracheal schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, and discuss the different therapeutic options. Case. A 47-year-old man presented to our hospital with progressive shortness of breath and bloody sputum. Bronchoscopy demonstrated a widebased submucosal tumor on the membranous portion of the lower trachea. A tissue biopsy was performed and the tumor was diagnosed as benign schwannoma. Segmental resection of the trachea with a primary end-to-end anastomosis was successfully performed via right posterolateral thoracotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and at the latest follow-up, the patient was doing well and was recurrence-free. Conclusion. We encountered a case of tracheal schwannoma successfully treated with partial tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The appropriate treatment (surgery or bronchoscopic resection) for benign tracheal tumors should be carefully decided on the basis of the clinical findings.