Mediastinal parathyroid adenoma removal by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Ectopic parathyroid adenomas in the mediastinum are rare causes of primary hyperparathyroidism. We report two cases of mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Functioning parathyroid lesion was localized with the help of nuclear single-photon emission computed tomography scan in both the patients.

Rosai-Dorfman disease of the trachea: an extremely rare benign tumor.

Rosai-Dorfman disease or sinus histiocytosis is a nonmalignant disease chiefly presenting as a painless cervical lymphadenopathy, although extranodal involvement is also frequent. Involvement of the tracheobronchial tree is extremely rare, and there are no clear guidelines on management. Rosai-Dorfman disease usually presents as a tracheal tumor, although it may also present with extraluminal compression.

Management of Acquired Benign Tracheoesophageal Fistulae.

Acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistula is a rare and challenging clinical condition requiring the combined efforts of team management. Numerous causes have been documented, the most common of which are endotracheal and tracheostomy tube-related injuries. The classic clinical presentation is a persistent and intense cough following deglutition.

Tuberculosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases of the Airway.

Granulomatous diseases of the airway are challenging lesions to diagnose and effectively manage not only because they are uncommon but also because they can occur in different forms, each with unique clinical and radiological characteristics. Most such lesions can be effectively managed conservatively with repeated airway dilatation, use of intraluminal stents, and specific antimicrobial treatment. The only exception is those lesions presenting with localized airway obstruction wherein surgical resection may be indicated and beneficial.

Erosion of esophageal stent into left main bronchus causing airway compromise.

Covered or uncovered self-expanding metal stents are currently used for the palliative treatment of neoplastic esophageal strictures or compressions and esophageal leaks or fistulas due to malignancies. Erosion of esophageal stents into the respiratory tract is a rare complication and that too has been reported mostly as an early complication within few days or weeks. Here, we present the case of a 31-year-old female, who presented with a late complication of an esophageal stent eroding into the left main bronchus causing respiratory distress.

Human pulmonary dirofilariasis masquerading as a mass.

Pulmonary dirofilariasis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, rarely affects humans and is usually asymptomatic, but may present as chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, wheezing, low-grade fever, and malaise. The dead and dying worms obstruct branches of the pulmonary artery, causing infarction and a granulomatous reaction. Coin lesions are apparent on radiography, raising concern of malignancy.

Our Experience with Femoro-Femoral Bypass in the Management of Critical Airway Problems.

The authors present a case report of a 64 year old male patient with thyroid mass and extensive secondaries of the neck and infiltration of the trachea producing severe tracheal stenosis at the level of the thoracic inlet presenting with stridor. Due to the large mass, endotracheal intubation was ruled out; hence a femoro-femoral Cardiopulmonary Bypass was done followed by a median sternotomy, resection of the involved tracheal segment, a total thyroidectomy with neck dissection and finally a tracheal end-to-end anastomosis. The surgery was done in May 2011.

Tablet in the bronchus--an unusual cause for persistent cough in a 64 year old gentleman.

Foreign body aspiration in adults without any background risk factors is uncommon. We report a 64 year gentleman evaluated for persistent cough incidentally detected to have a foreign body (FB) in the left main bronchus (LMB), which after removal by rigid bronchoscopy turned out to be a tablet. This demonstrates the possible risk of silent aspiration of solid foreign bodies and in our case presenting as a persistent cough after months of aspiration.

Tracheocele presenting with intermittent dysphonia: a case report.

We report a rare case of tracheocele presenting in an ENT setting. The referral was made on the basis of intermittent dysphonia. The aim of this report is to document the rare condition of tracheocele on the right side and to help raise the level of its awareness among the otolaryngologists.

Whole lung lavage for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

A 26-year-old male presented with complaints of dry cough of six months and progressive breathlessness of three months duration. He was coughing out milky white sputum for two months and had lost 12 kg weight in two months. He had an evening rise in temperature of one month duration.