Immunoglobulin g4-related disease presenting as an obstructing tracheal mass: consideration of surgical indications.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is increasingly recognized in many organs; however, none are described in detail is the trachea. In addition, the role of surgical intervention in the disease has yet to be fully defined. We describe a patient with IgG4-related airway disease presenting as a low tracheal mass, which was treated with tracheal resection and reconstruction. This novel presentation of the disease highlights the importance of including IgG4-related disease in the differential diagnosis of tracheal masses. Further, possible indications for surgical therapy are considered. As the full clinical spectrum of IgG4-related disease continues to evolve, so too must approaches to disease management.