Endobronchial laser ablation of a tracheal schwannoma

Primary tracheal schwannomas, also known as neurilemmomas, are extremely rare tracheal tumors. These benign tumors, which originate from the peripheral nervous system, occur as primary bronchial tumors and rarely progress to malignancy. Endobronchial tumor resection is a useful technique in this patient population. This is especially true for benign masses in which resection provides definitive treatment. We report a case of an endobronchial schwannoma treated with a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser resection.