Traumatic neuroma of the bronchial stump

Definition

A reactive proliferation of nerve fibres occurring with a bronchial stump following lobectomy, identical to traumatic neuromas found at other anatomical sites.

Clinical features

Patients are asymptomatic.

Radiology

There is no radiological evidence of recurrent carcinoma or other neoplasm.

Macroscopic appearances

The lesion presents as a small sessile polypoidal mass within the bronchial stump.

Histopathology

The appearances are those of a traumatic neuroma as at other sites, with a chaotic proliferation of nerve fibres, Schwann cells and fibroblasts within a myxoid or collagenised stroma. There is no mitotic activity.

Immunohistochemistry

	S-100	positive
	Cytokeratin	negative

Differential diagnosis

Bronchoscopically:

Granulation tissue
Tumour recurrence

Histologically:

Management

Bronchoscopic resection