Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2013 | Case report
Tracheal pseudo-tumor caused by herpes simplex virus
Published in: Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine | Issue 1/2013
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Background
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been shown to cause respiratory tract infections mostly in severely immunocompromised patients. Endobronchial tumor-like lesions have been described very rarely as HSV pulmonary manifestations in critically ill patients or in immunosuppressed individuals.
Case presentation
This case study describes a 75-yr-old male who presented with persistent hoarseness. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed marked mucosal thickening protruding in mid and distal trachea causing stenosis. Biopsy specimens demonstrated cytopathological changes consistent with HSV type 1 and 2 infection.
Conclusions
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of HSV presenting as an endotracheal tumor in an immunocompetent person.