'There's a frog in my throat': bilateral prolapsing lung apices presenting as a neck lump

Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2021 Sep;103(8):e249-e251. doi: 10.1308/rcsann.2020.7106.

Abstract

This case report discusses an unusual presentation of a voluntarily produced neck mass, caused by the rare case of lung herniation. Lung herniation is associated with increased intrathoracic pressure that can be caused by chronic chough, straining and continuous positive airway pressure ventilation. An association with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome 1 also exists. We present a case of lung herniation that was multifactorial in nature and was identified at a head and neck clinic. The female patient presented with a voluntarily expandable anterior neck mass on Valsalva manoeuvre. Computed tomography imaging with and without Valsalva manoeuvre demonstrated bilateral anterior lung herniation and findings of spinal spondylosis.

Keywords: Apical lung herniation; Neck lump; Valsalva.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Hernia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed