A Case of Malignant Airway Obstruction Mimicking Bronchial Asthma

TL;DR

A 63-year-old woman with a history of asthma was misdiagnosed for years until central airway stenosis was correctly identified and treated.

Contribution

The paper highlights the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach to distinguish central airway stenosis from asthma.

Findings

Central airway stenosis was misdiagnosed as asthma exacerbations in a patient with a history of bronchial asthma.

A comprehensive diagnostic approach led to the correct diagnosis and successful treatment of central airway stenosis.

Accurate diagnosis improved the patient's condition and resolved the stenosis.

Abstract

Asthma and central airway stenosis are often misdiagnosed due to overlapping clinical features, leading to delayed diagnosis and inappropriate management. A comprehensive diagnostic approach is crucial for accurate differentiation and improving patient outcomes.

Central airway stenosis can be misdiagnosed as asthma. We present the case of a 63‐year‐old woman with breast cancer and a history of bronchial asthma who repeatedly presented to the emergency department with progressive dyspnea and who was initially misdiagnosed with asthma exacerbations. After eventual referral to our department, we report our comprehensive diagnostic approach and subsequent treatment that led to the accurate diagnosis of central airway stenosis and improvement of her condition and resolution of the stenosis. A comprehensive diagnostic approach is crucial for accurate differentiation and improving patient outcomes.

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