Pulmonary Sclerosing Pneumocytoma: An Essential Differential Diagnosis for a Lung Nodule

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma, previously known as pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma, is a rare benign lung tumor with a low prevalence. We present this condition in a 26-year-old, young, non-smoking female with a slow-growing pulmonary nodule incidentally noted on imaging. Serial computed tomography(CT) scans revealed slow growth, and invasive testing was recommended. The patient underwent a left lateral thoracotomy and based on frozen section findings. A left lower lobectomy was performed. The final pathological diagnosis revealed sclerosing pneumocytoma. This is an atypical patient demographic considering the propensity of the disease for middle-aged Asian women. The case presentation and work-up highlight this critical differential diagnosis for incidental pulmonary nodules increasingly being noted due to widespread use of imaging for screening and routine care in the current medical climate. There are no specific imaging criteria to diagnose this condition. The final diagnosis is made only after surgical biopsy and histopathology. No additional treatment is needed following the diagnosis.