J Korean Pediatr Soc.
2000 Jul;43(7):1000-1005.
Hemangioendothelioma Leading to Obstruction of the Left Main Bronchus in Infant
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ulsan University.
- 2Department of Chest Surgery, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ulsan University.
- 3Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ulsan University.
- 4Department of Pediatrics , Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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Hemangioendothelioma is the most common vascular tumor in children, however
hemangioendothelioma occurring in the bronchus is very rare. We experienced a case of
hemangioendothelioma in the left main bronchus of an infant which was successfully removed
by a sleeve resection. Respiratory distress developed in a 3-month-old female infant with
roentgenographic finding oi' hyperinflation of the left lung. Chest CT and MRI revealed
a highly vascular tumor extending from the wall of the left main bronchus leading to
hyperinflation by a check-valve mechanism. Bronchoscopic finding showed left main bronchus
obstruction due to a round, hypervasculm protruding mass. Lung scans showed markedly
decreased perfusion in the left lung, At the age oi 4 months, a sleeve of the left main
bronchus was resected and end-to-end anastomosi performed. The excised specimen contained
a hemangioendothelioma measuring 1.5x1.5cm. Anastomotic site narrowing was observed on
postoperative bronchoscopy, but ventilation of the lef1: lung remained relatively good.
Perfusion of the left lung and respiratory distress symptom was markedly improved 2 months
later. Hemangioendothelioma must be considered as one of thc causes of bronchial obstruction
during infancy.