Carcinoid tumors may present atypically as in this case. This small tumor of the lower lobe does not demonstrate the typical highly vascularized obstructive appearance one would expect of a carcinoid. It was easily resected with the laser. The same holds true for small endotracheal carcinoids.






Here we see a typical carcinoid. It is located just below the origin of the middle lobe bronchus. The suction catheter aspirates abundant pus emanating from the obstructed airway. Mechanical resection is undertaken only after thorough coagulation has been achieved with the laser.



Once resection is complete, the laser is fired at low power at the base of the resected tumor in order to prevent recurrence.







This carcinoid involves the left upper lobe bronchus. Once again, careful resection of the base of the tumor is the key to avoid relapse.

The following case is similar. The patient was 12 years old at the time of resection.



In this case, a carcinoid tumor affects the bronchus intermedius of a 25 year old patient.

This case is particularly interesting, because long term follow-up is available.

Endoscopic resection is identical to that described for other tumors, but is mindful of the greater hemorrhagic potential characteristic of this tumor.

Two subsequent films document treatment success at 2 months and 2 years of follow-up. Biopsies in both cases were negative for recurrence.

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