Un asma persistente… troppo persistente

Primary lung tumours in children are very rare, but bronchial carcinoid tumours comprise 50-80% of the malignant pulmonary neoplasms diagnosed in children and young adults. Most patients with bronchial carcinoid tumours present with wheezing, cough and chest pain, while chest X-ray often shows a tumour mass and consolidation of the corresponding lung tissue. Because of low clinical suspicion and unspecific symptoms of presentation diagnosis may be delayed. This case report describes a bronchial carcinoid tumour in an 11-year-old male presenting with persistent asthma symptoms despite treatment and recurrent pneumonia.