Pleomorphic adenoma of the subglottis mistreated as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, report of a case

Abstract

Upper airway obstruction due to subglottic mass can be misdiagnosed. We report the case of a 66-year-old man who was treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before a diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma of the subglottis was made. According to the history of chronic cough and exertional dyspnea, he was treated with inhaled corticosteroids for COPD. Bronchoscopy and computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass occupying the subglottic cavity. After the excision operation, all symptoms disappeared. Histological evaluation revealed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. This case report emphasizes that not all chronic cough and dyspnea are attributable to COPD. © 2011 The Editorial Committee of Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. All rights reserved.