Atypical bronchial carcinoid with postobstructive mycobacterial infection: case report and review of literature

An Overlooked Manifestation of Hypercortisolism: Cerebral Cortical Atrophy and Challenges in Identifying the Etiology of Hypercortisolism - A Report of 2 Pediatric Cases

INTRODUCTION

Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a rare, severe disease that can cause multiple systemic involvements and behavioral problems due to excessive cortisol production. Structural changes can be noted in the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of these cases.

CASES

A 9-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy were admitted with hypercortisolism. In the female patient, altered consciousness was prominent along with cerebral and cerebellar brain atrophy, and findings indicating posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome were detected in the brain MRI. Although the male patient's neurological examination was normal, significant cerebral atrophy was seen in the brain MRI. Case 1 was diagnosed as having ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) due to a thymic carcinoid tumor. Case 2 underwent a pulmonary lobectomy upon detection of a bronchial lesion in the Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT scan while being examined for EAS due to a lack of suppression in the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test. However, hypercortisolism persisted despite the removal of the bronchial lesion, and subsequently, a diagnosis of Cushing's disease was established following bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling.

DISCUSSION

Endogenous hypercortisolism may cause brain atrophy of varying severity. The central nervous system findings can be overlooked in children with CS. More comprehensive studies are needed to better understand the behavioral changes caused by the effects on the brain and to evaluate whether these changes are reversible. In addition, identifying the source of hypercortisolism can be difficult due to a lack of experience related to the rarity of the disease in children.

Right middle lobe obstruction associated with synchronous endobronchial carcinoid and aspergillosis

Pulmonary carcinoids originate from neuroendocrine cells of the lung and comprise 0.5%-5% of all lung malignancies. Endobronchial carcinoids are rare, low-grade malignant tumors that occasionally coexist with other infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. We treated a 63-year-old woman who presented with a right middle lobe obstruction. A chest computed tomography scan demonstrated a mass-like lesion in the right middle lobe with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. She underwent an exploratory operation after 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment. The pathology revealed a right middle lobe bronchial carcinoid tumor and aspergillosis. Chest computed tomography scans have revealed no recurrence of the carcinoid or aspergillosis during the 5-year follow-up.

Correction to: Atypical bronchial carcinoid with postobstructive mycobacterial infection: case report and review of literature

Please note that an affiliation has been missed from the published article [1].