Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor and Loculated Tuberculous Empyema Coexisting in the Same Lung: A Case Report

Abstract

Carcinoid tumors of the tracheobronchial tree are rare events occurring at an incidence of 1-2% of lung cancers. The coexistence of carcinoid tumors with tuberculosis is an even rarer occurrence. We report active loculated tuberculous empyema and a bronchial carcinoid coexisting in the same lung in a 59 year old male patient. The clinical presentation with emphasis on diagnostic difficulties in dual pathologies and therapeutic options are discussed. Preoperative bronchoscopy has been recommended prior to thoracotomy in patients with tuberculosis for the identification of specific tuberculosis (tbc) related pathologies. In addition, routine preoperative bronchoscopy may have the additional benefit of detecting rare and unsuspected pathologies such as an associated carcinoid tumor.