J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  1999 Feb;19(1):103-109.

Two cases of upper airway obstruction masquerading as asthma: One tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma, the other foreign body aspiration

• Kim HG
• Lee HK
• Kweon BC
• Lee CK
• Kim GW
• Hyun SH
• Lee JM
• Kim NS

Abstract

Reversible airway obstruction and wheezing are typical features of bronchial asthma, but these features may also be observed in other conditions. However, the inclusion of these conditions in the differential diagnosis of asthma-like symptoms in adults is often neglected, resulting in a correct diagnosis being made after months of unsuccessful treatment for asthma. We report two cases of an upper airway obstruction masquerading as asthma. In case one, adenoid cystic carcinoma was identified in the trachea of a patient showing asthma-like symptoms, positive response to allergic skin test and methacholine inhalation challenge. In the other case, aspirated foreign body was misdiagnosed and treated as asthma for more than one year. A high degree of suspicion and a thorough medical evaluation censisting of history, physical examination and pulmonary function test including shapes of spirogram are essential to the differential diagnosis of asthma-like symptoms

Keyword

bronchial asthma; upper airway obstruction; adenoid cystic carcinoma; foreign body aspiration

MeSH Terms

Adenoids*
Adult
Airway Obstruction*
Asthma*
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic*
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Foreign Bodies*
Humans
Inhalation
Methacholine Chloride
Physical Examination
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Sounds
Skin Tests
Trachea
Methacholine Chloride