Diffuse Idiopathic Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia (DIPNECH) in a 50-Year-Old Woman

Reza Mohseni  Ahangar; Faezeh  Firuzpour; Cena  Aram

doi:10.18502/crcp.v9i4.17980

Reza Mohseni Ahangar Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Rouhani Hospital, Babol, Iran
Faezeh Firuzpour Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Cena Aram Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/crcp.v9i4.17980

Keywords: Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH); Pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia; Diagnosis

Abstract

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rarepulmonary disorder characterized by hyperplasia of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells.It is frequently asymptomatic and can be challenging to differentiate from other formsof reactive pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (NECH). Presented is a casereport of DIPNECH along with a review of the diagnosis and management. A 50-year-oldfemale patient with a history of airway disease presented to the pulmonary ward withcomplaints of Functional Class III dyspnea and productive cough. The HRCT revealedthe presence of multiple bilateral nodules in both lungs. The histopathology reportfrom the nodule resection confirmed the presence of a carcinoid tumor, specificallyidentified as DIPNECH. As many similar cases have favorable treatment responses andsatisfactory prognoses due to multidisciplinary treatment methods, the necessity ofevidence-based management guidelines for DIPNECH and the accuracy of the diseasedefinition is emphasized.