Can we prevent recurrences in the endoscopic treatment of endobronchial hamartomas?

Recently, treatment of endobronchial hamartomas with interventional bronchoscopic methods has become possible. Although there are several reports of therapeutic benefits, the protocol of administration varies between centers and high recurrence rates continue to be a problem. In this study, we aimed to show that cryotherapy applied to the root of the bronchial wall after removal of the intraluminal portion of endobronchial hamartoma with interventional bronchoscopic methods can prevent recurrences.

Between 2012-2016, the treatment outcomes and long-term follow-up data of patients with symptomatic endobronchial hamartomas treated by interventional bronchoscopic methods were prospectively recorded. After debulking, cryotherapy was applied to the root of the bronchial wall of all lesions. The data were analyzed retrospectively.

A total of 21 consecutive patients were studied. Twenty (95.2%) of the patients underwent complete resection and only 1 (4.8%) had incomplete resection with various interventional bronchoscopy techniques. One (4.8%) patient who underwent incomplete resection and ineffective cryotherapy relapsed. The other 20 (95.2%) patients were followed up periodically for an average of 36.0 ± 15.0 months. No recurrence was detected. No complications or deaths related to the procedure were observed.

Debulking of endobronchial hamartomas with interventional bronchoscopic methods is effective and safe. Cryotherapy to the root of the lesion may prevent high recurrence rates.