Unusual cause of orthopnoea: primary tracheal tumour mimicking left ventricular failure.
An 84 year old woman who was a heavy smoker presented with clinical features suggestive of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease complicated by left ventricular failure. She responded poorly to treatment and then the finding of stridor, only when she was in the supine position, led to the diagnosis of a primary tracheal tumour, a rare but important cause of unexplained shortness of breath.
Antonios
T F
TF
Blood Pressure Unit, St George's Hospital and Medical School, London, UK.
Singer
D R
DR
Millard
F J
FJ
Wilson
A G
AG
MacGregor
G A
GA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis; D016683:Supine Position; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000209:etiology