Endobronchial Glomus Tumor in a Child

Abstract

Glomus tumors (GTs) are rare, usually benign, mesenchymal neoplasms typically located in the cutaneous tissues of the extremities. Visceral locations have been reported in ∼5% of cases. The average age at diagnosis is 42 years. GTs originating in the respiratory tract of pediatric patients are exceedingly rare. We report a 16-year-old male with a GT of the right lower lobe bronchus.

Keywords: glomus tumor; histology; lung; pediatric; soft tissue tumors.

FIG. 1.

Chest radiographs demonstrating consolidative process involving portions of right middle and lower lobes (single arrow). A sub-pulmonic process on the right suggests a pleural effusion or pleural reactivity (double arrows).

FIG. 2.

Axial computed tomography image (A) demonstrates superior margin of enhancing intraluminal mass distal to the bronchus intermedius (arrow). (B) Demonstrates 1.4 × 1.6 × 2.2 mass completely obstructing lower lobe bronchus (arrow) with postobstructive pneumonia and bronchiectasis.

FIG. 3.

(A) Tumor within the lumen and wall of the bronchus. Normal bronchial mucosa is on the left. H&E; 20 × . (B) Tumor is lobulated with sheaths of uniform cells with distinct membranes, moderate amphophilic cytoplasm, round nuclei with dispersed chromatin; some cells have visible small nucleoli. H&E; 200 × . (C) Smooth muscle actin shows positive cytoplasmic staining by immunohistochemistry; 400 × . (D) CD34 stain; showing richly vascular tumor; 100 × . H&E, hematoxylin and eosin.