[Flexible bronchoscopic intervention for endobronchial hamartoma]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Interventional Pulmonology
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Endobronchial hamartomas are rare benign tumors.
• Surgical resection can be invasive and carry significant risks.
• Flexible bronchoscopy offers a minimally invasive alternative for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of interventional treatment for endobronchial hamartoma removal.
• To assess the outcomes of flexible bronchoscopy-guided interventions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 8 patients with endobronchial hamartoma.
• Interventional treatments included electrosurgical snare, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation (APC), and cryotherapy.
• Follow-up included thoracic computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy to assess airway stenosis.

Main Results:

• High cure rate (87.5%) and effectiveness rate (100%) were observed.
• Most patients required one or two treatment sessions; one patient with relapses achieved stability.
• One case of pneumothorax occurred, successfully managed with oxygen therapy; no serious complications were reported.

Conclusions:

• Interventional treatment via flexible bronchoscopy is a safe and effective modality for endobronchial hamartoma removal.
• This approach offers a favorable risk-benefit profile compared to traditional surgical methods.