Leiomyoma of the trachea

Tracheal leiomyoma resected with endobronchial electrocautery snare

Tracheobronchial leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor, which comprises about 2% of benign tumors of the lower respiratory tract. Bronchoscopic intervention is a minimally invasive treatment, but incomplete resection or recurrence has been reported. We report a case of a 76-year-old woman with a tracheal tumor of 14 mm in diameter incidentally detected on chest computed tomography. Bronchoscopic examination revealed a smooth polypoid tumor which pedunculated from the left side of the cartilaginous tracheal wall. An endobronchial electrocautery snare with flexible bronchoscope was successfully used under general anesthesia and with intubation. The resected specimen was pathologically consistent with leiomyoma. Bronchoscopic intervention can yield successful treatment of pedunculated tracheobronchial leiomyomas, although surgical resection should also be considered in cases of broad-based or iceberg-type leiomyomas because of the risk of incomplete resection or recurrence.

Leiomyoma of the trachea

Primary tracheal tumors are rare. Approximately 1% of them are leiomyoma. Given the rarity of these lesions, optimal management has not been defined. Bronchoscopic, local surgical excision and partial tracheal resection have all been described. One report of recurrence after resection has been published. The incidence of recurrence following local excision is unknown. We report a case of an incidental tracheal leiomyoma diagnosed and treated with a combined approach.