Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia: Report of two cases

Abstract

Introduction: Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare disorder characterized by a proliferation of neuroendocrine cells within the lung. It is classically described as a disease with persistent cough, dyspnea and wheezing in non-smoker middle aged females. CT of the chest reveals diffuse air trapping with mosaic pattern.

Patients and methods: We present two cases of DIPNECH that were sent to our department to perform a lung biopsy with the diagnostic suspicion of diffuse interstitial disease. Both cases were women with a history of chronic cough and moderate effort dyspnea.

Results and discussion: The aim of this paper is that physicians take into account this diagnostic entity before treating as an asthmatic a patient with these characteristics, not forgetting that they are prenoplastic lesions.

Keywords: Biopsia pulmonar; Carcinoid tumor; DIPNECH; EPID; Hiperplasia neuroendocrina difusa pulmonar; Interstitial lung disease; Lung biopsy; Tumor carcinoide.