Lung adenocarcinoma presenting with isolated ‘chronic cough’ of 3 years duration-a cautionary tale
Chronic cough that is dry, non-productive and without constitutional symptoms is often thought to have a non-malignant etiology such as asthma, post-nasal drip or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We present a case of a patient with a 3 year history of ‘chronic cough’ that was dry, non-product...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Respiratory Medicine Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213007115300484 |
| Summary: | Chronic cough that is dry, non-productive and without constitutional symptoms is often thought to have a non-malignant etiology such as asthma, post-nasal drip or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We present a case of a patient with a 3 year history of ‘chronic cough’ that was dry, non-productive cough and without any constitutional symptoms. Initial chest x-ray (CXR) done 3 years ago showed some streaky atelectasis in the right middle lobe along with some volume loss on that side. Another CXR performed one and half years later showed progression to a complete right middle lobe collapse. She ultimately presented to our facility a year later with stable CXR findings, but persistent cough. A chest CT scan was suspicious for a right lower lobe mass. A PET scan subsequently confirmed a hypermetabolic right hilar mass causing extrinsic compression of the bronchus intermedius. She ultimately required a complete right pneumonectomy with partial pericardiectomy and had complete resolution of her cough. This case highlights the fact that ‘chronic cough’ should always be thoroughly investigated and should remain a diagnosis of exclusion until all sinister pathologies have been ruled out. |
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| ISSN: | 2213-0071 |