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11 September 2017 : Case report  Switzerland

Diffuse Idiopathic Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Challenging differential diagnosis, Unusual setting of medical care, Rare disease

Evangelos Koliakos1ABDEF*, Theodoros Thomopoulos1ABDEF, Ziad Abbassi1A, Christophe Duc2A, Michel Christodoulou1A

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.904468

Am J Case Rep 2017; 18:975-979

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare pulmonary disorder that is characterized by diffuse hyperplasia of bronchiolar and bronchial pulmonary neuroendocrine cells. In this condition, when no other pathological pulmonary condition is detected, DIPNECH is considered to be an idiopathic lung disease. DIPNECH is a rare condition that can be difficult to distinguish from other forms of reactive pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (NECH). We present a case of DIPNECH and describe the approach to diagnosis of this rare condition.

CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old woman with a past medical history of successfully treated lobular carcinoma of the breast, presented to our department with a respiratory tract infection. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest showed a suspicious pulmonary nodule, measuring 13 mm, in the right middle pulmonary lobe. Combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT), showed a solid and metabolically active nodule. A transbronchial biopsy and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of DIPNECH.

CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that DIPNECH is an under-diagnosed pulmonary condition because it is rarely associated with symptoms. At this time, there are no evidence-based management guidelines. While the majority of cases have stable clinical course, some cases can progress to cause airway obstruction. This case report highlights this rare, but potentially progressive condition, and the need for evidence-based management guidelines for DIPNECH.

Keywords: Carcinoid Tumor, Multiple Pulmonary Nodules, neuroendocrine cells, Synaptophysin

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American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923