title: [A rare tracheal tumour: solitary fibroma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Solitary fibromas are rare anatomo-pathological entities, described initially in the pleural cavity. The mesenchymal origin of these tumours explains their widespread distribution.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report a case of solitary fibroma of the trachea in a woman of 30 years of age, presenting as acute respiratory distress and preceded by a 2 year history of episodes of dyspnoea diagnosed as unstable asthma. CT and MRI imaging showed evidence of a localised tracheal tumour without mediastinal infiltration. The images and macroscopic appearances were non-specific. Bronchoscopic resection of the tumour gave immediate relief of the symptoms. Histology, which was positive for anti-CD34 antibodies and negative for epithelial, muscular and neurological markers, led to a diagnosis of solitary fibroma with no evidence of malignancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge, this observation is the first description of a primary solitary fibroma localised to the trachea. The clinical and radiological features are no different from those of other tracheal tumours. After excision, the prognosis is good but long-term follow-up is necessary on account of the risk of local recurrence or metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Service des Maladies Respiratoires et Réanimation Respiratoire, Hôpitaux de Brabois, CHU Nancy, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marie
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tissier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thivilier
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vignaud
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Regent
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chabot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*