Rapidly growing endobronchial hamartoma with bone marrow tissue

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Pulmonary hamartomas are benign lung tumors, typically slow-growing.
• Endobronchial location is less common than peripheral.
• Involvement of bone marrow tissue is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

• A 29-year-old woman presented with a 4 x 3.5 cm left upper lobe lung mass.
• The mass was not visible on a chest roentgenogram from 3 years prior, suggesting rapid growth.
• Bone scintigraphy revealed increased technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate uptake in the mass.

Findings:

• Pathologic diagnosis confirmed an endobronchially located pulmonary hamartoma.
• The hamartoma contained bone marrow tissue.
• Increased isotope uptake indicated heightened osteoplastic activity within the tumor.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for rapid growth in pulmonary hamartomas.
• The presence of bone marrow tissue and increased osteoplastic activity warrants further investigation.
• Highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing rare lung masses.