Severe central airway obstruction caused by primary endobronchial B-cell lymphoma: three case reports and literature review.

Abstract

Central airway obstruction is associated with severe clinical manifestations and a high mortality rate. To our knowledge, there have been very few published reports describing isolated central airway lesions caused by primary lymphoma without extrathoracic or extranodal involvement. This is the first case of malignant tracheal obstruction caused by primary B-cell lymphoma without involvement of the main stem bronchi, lobar bronchi, or mediastinal structures.Case PresentationThree patients were admitted to our hospital with complaints of progressively worsening cough accompanied by wheezing. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans revealed soft-tissue-density masses located in the central trachea. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma. Importantly, no significant enlargement of mediastinal or cervical lymph nodes was identified.ConclusionEndobronchial lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of central airway masses, particularly when clinical and imaging findings are inconclusive.