Endobronchial hamartoma: a rare disease with more common presentation

Hamartomas are the most common benign tumours of the lung with an overall incidence of 0.025-0.32%. They are known to be amalgamation of various tissue types, originating from the embryonic mesoderm. Lung hamartomas typically involve lung parenchyma and only infrequently grows as endobronchial tumours. We present a case of an 80-year-old man who presented to the pulmonary clinic for consultation for breathlessness, recurrent pneumonias and an abnormal radiograph finding. CT scan of the chest showed scattered infiltrates and atelectasis in the left upper lobe. He underwent a diagnostic bronchoscopy that showed a lobulated endobronchial lesion obstructing the left upper lobe bronchus. Brush and forceps biopsies were obtained that were consistent with an endobronchial hamartoma. He was referred to the pulmonology department for endobronchial debulking of the lesion following which he improved clinically during postoperative follow-up.