A 72-year-old man was hospitalized for evaluation of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed a bronchial tumor with a smooth, glossy surface at the orifice of right B2 bronchus (Fig. 1A). On autofluorescence bronchoscopy, the tumor was magenta and showed less fluorescence than normal mucosa (Fig. 1B), findings characteristic of bronchogenic carcinoma. Histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed a submucosal lesion composed of non-caseating granulomas covered by an intact bronchial epithelium. Laboratory data showed an increased level of serum angiotensin converting enzyme, and bronchoalveolar lavage showed an elevated lymphocyte population and a high CD4/D8 ratio, which led to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a relatively common systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology.1 An endobronchial vascular network and plaques are often seen. However, sarcoidosis manifesting as an endobronchial tumor is extremely rare.2 Autofluorescence bronchoscopy is useful for detecting carcinoma in situ or other epithelial dysplasia. Our case highlights the utility of autofluorescence bronchoscopy for detecting not only epithelial but also submucosal lesions.
Conflict of InterestsThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.
Please cite this article as: Kawano S, Kanoh S, Kawana A. Tumor endobronquial único por sarcoidosis: imagen broncoscópica por autofluorescencia. Arch Bronconeumol. 2016;52:48–49.
