Endobronchial anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting as unilateral white-out lung: Successful chemotherapy in an adolescent: A case report

Abstract

White-out lung encountered in the pediatric emergency room can lead to life-threatening respiratory failure. A 16-year-old boy presented with “white-out” lung on his chest X-ray. He needed mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure. Bronchoscopy revealed that his left main bronchus was completely blocked by a vascular mass. A biopsy confirmed anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). After starting chemotherapy, he showed dramatic improvement within 5 days, was successfully extubated, and transitioned to care under the pediatric hematology–oncology team. This case report highlights endobronchial ALCL, a rare cause of “white-out lung,” diagnosed via prompt bronchoscopy and favorable outcome with a short course of chemotherapy.