# Tracheal schwannoma: A pseudo-asthmatic syndrome with successful laser Nd-YAG resection as first-line therapy

**Authors:** Ranim Nakhal, Raneem Ahmad, Bassel Ibrahim, Sultaneh Haddad, Arabi Abbas, Nizar Abbas

PMC · DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111706 · International Journal of Surgery Case Reports · 2025-07-22

## TL;DR

A rare tracheal tumor called schwannoma was successfully treated with laser surgery, highlighting its potential to mimic asthma symptoms.

## Contribution

Demonstrates successful use of Nd-YAG laser as first-line therapy for tracheal schwannoma.

## Key findings

- Nd-YAG laser resection effectively removed the schwannoma with no recurrence observed.
- Schwannoma can present with pseudo-asthmatic symptoms, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
- Rigid bronchoscopy combined with laser therapy is a viable and effective treatment approach.

## Abstract

Neurogenic tumors like schwannoma are sporadic in less than 0.5 % of primary tracheal tumors (PTT). Schwannoma can be misdiagnosed with asthma because of nonspecific symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, or dyspnea.

A 39-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with severe dyspnea at rest and needs oxygenation. Rigid Bronchoscopy revealed an intratracheal white pedunculated lesion with visible vessels. A frozen section's result was benign Showannoma. Nd-YAG Laser was performed to melt the tumor, and then the lesion was swept away. After that, the Nd-YAG laser was used to remove tumor remnants.

Our case emphasizes that rigid bronchoscopy with Nd-YAG laser resection was a very successful tool for managing schwannoma, and bronchoscopic surveillance showed No Recurrence as the benign nature of pedunculated schwannoma without an extratracheal component.

Awareness of the possibility of schwannoma as a primary tracheal tumor is important, although it is phenomenal, it can cause pseudo-asthmatic status because it has non-specific symptoms.

•Neurogenic tumors like schwannoma are sporadic for less than 0.5 % of primary tracheal tumors (PTT)•Nd-YAG Laser was performed to melt the tumor, and then the lesion was swept away. After that, the Nd-YAG laser was used to remove tumor remnants.

Neurogenic tumors like schwannoma are sporadic for less than 0.5 % of primary tracheal tumors (PTT)

Nd-YAG Laser was performed to melt the tumor, and then the lesion was swept away. After that, the Nd-YAG laser was used to remove tumor remnants.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** asthma (MONDO:0004979), schwannoma (MONDO:0002546)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Neurogenic tumors (MESH:D009369), PTT (MESH:D014134), asthmatic (MESH:D013224), dyspnea (MESH:D004417), Schwannoma (MESH:D009442), asthma (MESH:D001249), wheezing (MESH:D012135)
- **Chemicals:** Nd-YAG (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

7 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12320088/full.md

## References

30 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12320088/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12320088