A case of uncontrolled severe asthma patient with coexisting carcinoid tumor presenting as pneumomediastinum.
BACKGROUND
Patients with inadequately controlled or uncontrolled asthma are at a greater risk of attacks for asthma requiring emergency room visits or hospital admissions. There is a significant correlation between the severity of the disease and the severity of exacerbations. Patients with poorly controlled asthma are at a higher risk for complications.


METHODS
We present a 24-year-old aspirin-intolerant, uncontrolled asthma patient with the complication of pneumomediastinum.


RESULTS
Severe symptoms persisted after the resolution of the pneumomediastinum despite intense anti-inflammatory and anti-obstructive therapy. A bronchoscopy revealed an endobronchial lesion and she was diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
This case is an example of the importance of re-evaluating asthma patients who do not respond to standard medical treatment. Clinicians should be aware of the complications associated with asthma attacks such as pneumomediastinum and the possibility of a differential diagnosis that worsen asthma symptoms such as a carcinoid tumor.
a School of Medicine, Koç University , Istanbul , Turkey .
Elif Nur
EN
Biçer
b Department of Allergy and Immunology , Koç University Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey .
Ayse Bilge
AB
Öztürk
c Department of Allergy and Immunology , School of Medicine, Koç University , Istanbul , Turkey .
Leyla Pur
LP
Ozyigit
d Department of Thoracic Surgery , Koç University Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey .
Suat
S
Erus
e Department of Thoracic Surgery , and.
Serhan
S
Tanju
e Department of Thoracic Surgery , and.
Şükrü
Ş
Dilege
f Department of Pulmonary Medicine , School of Medicine, Koç University , Istanbul , Turkey.
Levent
L
Tabak
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
Carcinoid tumor; pneumomediastinum; severe asthma