Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 59(3): 186-188
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250427
Case Reports/Thoracic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Association between Gastroesophageal Reflux and Endobronchial Carcinoid: A Case Report

A. Diamanti1 , C. Noto1 , A. Magistrelli2 , G. Perotti3 , F. Panetta1 , F. Diomedi-Camassei4 , A. Inserra5
  • 1Department of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • 2Department of Radiology, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • 3Department of Nuclear Medicine, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
  • 4Department of Pathology, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • 5Department of Thoracic Surgery, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received July 3, 2010

Publication Date:
08 April 2011 (online)

Abstract

Children with neurological disorders may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Typical symptoms are vomiting, regurgitation and hematemesis. Patients present with respiratory symptoms only in cases with swallowing disorders causing chronic airway aspiration. We report the case of a patient affected by chromosome 8 p deletion syndrome with mental retardation, referred to our unit for suspected GERD. Chest X‐ray, performed at admission for coexisting respiratory complaints, showed left lower lobe pneumonia; esophageal pH monitoring and upper endoscopy were normal for GERD. To rule out chronic airway aspiration, gastroesophageal 99 mTc scintigraphy with lung scan 18 to 24 h after a test meal and video fluoroscopy swallowing study were performed, both negative. Two months later, a second episode of left lower lobe pneumonia occurred. A chest CT scan was performed and showed an endobronchial mass; the biopsy taken during the broncoscopy was not conclusive. Surgical excision resulted in a diagnosis of pulmonary carcinoid. Bronchial carcinoids, although rare, should be taken into consideration as a potential cause of recurrent pneumonia even in the presence of demonstrated GERD where severe respiratory infections only occur with coexisting chronic pulmonary aspiration, even in neurologically impaired people.

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Dr. Cristian Noto, MD

Department of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital

Piazza Sant'Onofrio, 4

00165 Rome

Italy

Phone: +39 6 68 59 23 29

Fax: +39 6 68 58 28 76

Email: cristian_noto@libero.it

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