Successful ultrasound imaging of pulmonary sub-pleural hamartoma

Pulmonary hamartoma, a common benign tumor of the lung, often presents as a solitary nodule on the peripheral lung, and is mainly composed of bronchial mucosa epithelial cells, chondrocytes, and adipose cells. Here, we report the case of a 42-year-old female who had a lung nodule that appeared as a homogeneous high-density shadow of a peripheral localization on chest computed tomography scan. For further evaluation, transthoracic ultrasonography examination was performed, which revealed a round, heterogenous, hypoechoic mass attached to the visceral pleura and showing obvious respiratory motions on the real-time ultrasonic images. Video-assisted thoracoscopic operation with ultrasound marking was performed, and a tumor 1.5 × 1.0 cm in size was successfully removed from this patient. The pathohistological diagnosis was pulmonary hamartoma, and the patient was successfully cured.