Diagnosis of a thoracic inlet tumour by transbronchial biopsy

Abstract

A 67-year-old man presented to the pulmonary service with left shoulder and arm pain. Examination disclosed a left Horner's syndrome. Supraclavicular exploration at another hospital was not helpful. Transbronchial biopsy through a flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope retrieved tissues showing poorly differentiated carcinoma. There are no previous reports of the use of the technique in the diagnosis of a Pancoast tumour with a normal standard chest radiograph.