Cough and persistent wheeze in a patient with long-standing asthma

[Bronchopulmonary amyloidosis: report of four cases]

Amyloidosis limited to bronchopulmonary apparatus is expressed as tracheobronchial deposits in diffuse plaques that can cause stenosis or parenchymal nodules or masses. In this regard, we report four cases of pulmonary amyloidosis and discuss the diagnostic difficulties of this location. These are two women and two men aged 60, 68, 44 and 57 years. They presented a pulmonary parenchymal amyloidosis in all cases associated with bronchial in one case. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology in all cases. The staging was negative in all cases. The evolution was marked by the stabilization of the lesions in all cases. Localized amyloidosis, which may be the only telltale sign of a systemic illness, its diagnosis requires finding other locations to better tailor the treatment strategy.

Pseudotumoral tracheobronchial amyloidosis mimicking asthma: a case report

Introduction

Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is an uncommon localized form of amyloidosis that can simulate a tracheal tumor. Clinical signs are not specific and the diagnosis is rarely given before performing a bronchoscopy with multiples biopsies.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 60-year-old Moroccan woman, complaining of dyspnea and wheezing for three years, who was treated at our institution for management of severe asthma. A bronchoscopy revealed a tumor formation of her trachea; multiples biopsies were performed and a diagnosis made of amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. She successfully received an endoscopic resection.

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of routinely carrying out an endoscopy in any patient complaining of atypical bronchial symptoms or with uncontrolled asthma. Tracheal amyloidosis is a rare disease, confirmed by histological examination of bronchial biopsies, and the treatment of choice is based on the bronchoscopic resection.

[Haemoptysis revealing tracheobronchial amyloidosis]

The authors report the case of a 68-year-old man complaining of haemoptysis and breathlessness. Bronchoscopy revealed a budding formation in tracheal bifurcation. Multiple biopsies were performed and concluded as to AL type amyloidosis. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is an uncommon localised form of amyloidosis that can simulate lung cancer.

Isolated laryngo-tracheal amyloidosis presenting as a refractory asthma and longstanding hoarseness

Respiratory tract amyloidosis is characterized by deposition of amyloid fibril protein at any site along the respiratory tract ranging from the larynx to the pulmonary parenchyma. Usually, it is not associated with primary systemic amyloidosis. We report a case with isolated laryngotracheal amyloidosis, which is relatively a rare condition, together with a history of refractory asthma accompanied with longstanding hoarseness.