Primary intratracheal schwannoma misdiagnosed as severe asthma in an adolescent:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary intratracheal schwannoma is an extremely rare type of benign airway tumor,especially in adolescents.The presenting symptoms are typically prolonged cough and wheezing that can be misdiagnosed as asthma in adolescent patients.CASE A 16-year-old adolescent girl admitted to a local hospital with symptoms of an irritating cough and wheezing was diagnosed with bronchial asthma and treated with budesonide and formoterol.Over the next year,the patient's wheezing and coughing symptoms gradually worsened and the antiasthma treatment was ineffective.One week prior to this admission,the patient developed dyspnea after catching a cold and was transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of severe asthma.However,chest computed tomography and bronchoscopy showed a mass in the trachea.Primary intratracheal schwannoma was diagnosed by biopsy.Her symptoms were relieved by endoscopic resection by electrosurgical snaring combined with argon plasma coagulation.No relapse occurred during an 18 mo follow-up.CONCLUSION Primary intratracheal schwannoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis in adolescents with recurrent asthma-like attacks.

The role of SLC26A8 homozygous variants in male infertility and flagellum abnormalities

Dear Editor,Solute carrier family 26 member 8(SLC26A8)gene belongs to the solute carrier 26(SLC26)family.It demonstrates distinct expression in male spermatozoa.This gene potentially plays a role in the formation of the sperm annulus,a circular structure linking the midpiece and principal piece of mature sperm flagella.1 Studies in mice have shown that the deficiency of Slc26A8 leads to compromised sperm motility,capacitation,and structural anomalies.These include disarray in the mitochondrial sheath,abnormalities in the annulus,and bending of the flagella.2,3 Nevertheless,our comprehension of SLC26A8 mutations in male infertility is still restricted,with only a limited number of studies addressing this aspect.4-6 Therefore,further research is crucial to elucidate the functional significance of mutations in SLC26A8.

Analysis of trends in testicular atrophy index values with age in patients with unilateral palpable cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism affects the growth of testicular volume.Testicular volume is associated with reproductive function.The testicular atrophy index evaluates the degree of damage caused by cryptorchidism,but it remains unclear whether changes in testicular atrophy index are related to age.We selected patients who underwent surgery for unilateral palpable cryptorchidism.Testicular volume was measured using ultrasonography.The testicular atrophy indices of the undescended testes were then reviewed,and their correlation with age was analyzed.We studied 228 cases(age range:6–53 months).Scatter plots were constructed,and Loess curves were fitted,revealing a turning point at 24 months of age.The patients were divided into age groups of 6–24 months and 25–53 months.The testicular volume of the cryptorchid side was smaller than that of the normal side in both groups(both P<0.001).In the 6–24-month group,the testicular atrophy index was positively correlated with age,testicular volume on the cryptorchid side was not correlated with age,and testicular volume was positively correlated with age on the normal side.In the 25–53-month group,testicular atrophy index and testicular volumes on either side were not correlated with age.A palpable unilateral cryptorchid testis is smaller than the contralateral testis.The testicular atrophy index increases with age between 6 months and 24 months,but not between 25 months and 53 months.Testicular volume increased with age on the normal side between 6 months and 24 months,but not on the cryptorchid side.Trends in testicular atrophy index with age contribute to the decision of operation time.