‘Unexplained intermittent hemoptysis with normal chest radiograph necessitates bronchoscopy’— mucoepidermoid carcinoma of lung: Case report

Abstract

Abstract Hemoptysis is the predominant symptom of tuberculosis and is considered as important clue toward evaluation of tuberculosis and treatment accordingly, especially in high burden countries like India where disease is endemic. 8-25% cases of pulmonary tuberculosis are having hemoptysis during course of their illness. Unexplained hemoptysis with normal chest radiograph needs further evaluation including CT thorax and bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy would be ideal choice for confirming diagnosis and to localize exact site of bleeding as well. In this case report, we describe a case of a young male who presented with cough and intermittant hemoptysis. During fiberoptic video-bronchoscopy we noted exophytic endobronchial growth in right main stem bronchus. Histopathological evaluation suggests mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of salivary gland type originating from main stem bronchus right side. PAS and mucicarmine staining differentiated MEC from Adenocarcinoma in our case.