Bronchopulmonary Carcinoid: A Case Report and Brief Review

Abstract

A 45 years old female presented with mild persistent nonproductive cough since past oneyear, and
shortness of breath (SOB) with recently detected hypertension and diabetes since 3 months. The patient also mentioned hot flushes since last one month. She remained on home quarantine without oxygen support for COVID-19 in the year 2020. She was advised anti-TB in 2021which she stopped due to intolerance. All routine investigations were essentially normal except RBS 160 mg/dl and HbA1C which was 8.5%. She was regularly taking antihypertensive and anti-diabetic drugs. Chest x-ray revealed left cardiac silhouette due to collapse of lingular segment, which was confirmed with CECT thorax. BAL, brush cytology and biopsy were carried out with fiberoptic bronchoscopy, revealing a smooth polypoid mass obstructing the lingular segmental bronchus. Histopathology reported it as a typical carcinoid. The case was referred for surgical intervention. There was a delay in diagnosis in this case, as there was past history of COVID-19 infection and was misinterpreted as its sequelae; wrong diagnosis and empirical treatment for tuberculosis and the association of diabetes and systemic hypertension makes this case worthy for presentation.