Facial flushing due to multifocal tumorlets in the lung with bronchiectasis.

Abstract

Facial flushing attacks as a Carcinoid syndrome are quite a rare presentation in pulmonary tumorlets and bronchiectasis. We experienced a case in which a 43-year-old woman with bronchiectasis presented to our department with continuous facial flushing attacks for 3 years in the absence of bronchiectasis symptom. Computed tomographic scans revealed bronchiectasis of the left lower lobe and no tumor. A left lower lobectomy was performed, and multiple tumorlets were observed on microscopic examination among the bronchiectasis. Histologic and immunohistochemical examination revealed findings consistent with diffuse tumorlets and bronchiectasis in the lung.