The importance in early identification of a herpetic endobronchial mass

We present a case of a 78 year old female that required intubation for hypercapnic, hypoxic respiratory failure, found to have an obstructing mass in the right main stem bronchus positive for Herpes Simplex (HSV) I and II on biopsy and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Herpetic endobronchial masses are described rarely, and having them on the differential when investigating endobronchial masses can promote prompt treatment and decrease unnecessary investigations. Our goals in highlighting this report include incidence of HSV pneumonia [7], the need to include it as part of the differential diagnosis in working up endobronchial masses, especially in intubated patients, and the various modalities of treatment.