Adenoid cystic carcinoma (cylindroma) of the trachea masquerading as asthma

A. Baydur and L. S. Gottlieb

A 40-year-old woman was admitted with upper airway obstruction; chest roentgenogram with tomograms, laryngoscopy, and bronchoscopy verified the presence of a subglottic tumor. Spirometry disclosed a maximum inspiratory flow rate more reduced than in the maximum expiratory flow rate, suggestive of upper airway obstruction. The pathologic conditions were consistent with cystic adenoid carcinoma (cylindroma) of the trachea. The patient underwent tracheostomy and total laryngectomy with an uneventful recovery. No evidence of local extension or distant metastases were evident at time of surgery.