Bronchial carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine neoplasms. The spectrum can range from low-grade typical carcinoids to more aggressive atypical carcinoids. Most bronchial carcinoids are located in central airways, hence clinical features and radiologic findings are usually related to bronchial obstruction. The aim of the present study was to describe the presenting clinical features, radiological findings, histological features, treatment modalities and outcome in pulmonary carcinoid tumours diagnosed in a tertiary care institute in Kerala, South India. This was a retrospective observational study of all cases of pulmonary carcinoids that presented to the Pulmonary Medicine department of our institute between August 2015 to July 2018. The clinical presentation, radiological features, stage of disease, histology, treatment instituted and survival was noted from the electronic medical case records.8 cases of lung carcinoid tumours were encountered during the study period. The mean age of study subjects was 50.6 years. Equal sex predilection was noted. Lower lobes were involved most frequently and right side was affected commoner than the left. Hemoptysis, recurrent respiratory infections and lobar / segmental collapse were the common clinical presentations. All patients had their diagnosis established by bronchoscopic biopsy. Carcinoid tumors accounted for 0.33 percent of pulmonary admissions in the present study. Most of the lesions were central. Symptoms of airway involvement dominated the clinical and radiological presentation. All except one case was subjected to surgical resection with no mortality noted during the study period and follow up.

Keywords: bronchial carcinoid, bronchoscopy, lung tumor, neuroendocrine tumor.

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Dr Jolsana Augustine

Consultant Pulmonologist, Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, 683112, India

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