2020 Volume 42 Issue 4 Pages 322-326
Background. Endobronchial hamartomas show various macroscopic findings and properties depending on the ratio and localization of the interstitial components. Case. A 49-year-old Japanese man was found to have an abnormal chest shadow at a medical examination. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined nodule 8 mm in size at the inlet of left B9-10, suggesting an endobronchial tumor. On bronchoscopy, the lesion was a light-red polyp, and the surface was a cauliflower-like. The polyp was easily deformed and stretched by a cough or forceps biopsy. The bronchoscopic findings suggested a tumor of epithelial or subepithelial origin. Tumor resection and laser ablation were performed using a flexible bronchoscope, considering the bronchoscopy findings, CT findings, and biopsy results. The diagnosis of endobronchial hamartoma was made. The surface morphology and flexibility atypical of endobronchial hamartomas were due to the presence of subepithelial myxoid tissue with rich proteoglycans and mucopolysaccharides and the localization of the interstitial components. Conclusion. We experienced a case of endobronchial hamartoma with an atypical cauliflower-like form. It is important to determine whether or not bronchoscopic tumor resection is appropriate for treatment and to perform laser ablation in order to preserve the lungs.
