Pseudotumor of the lung

Benign lung tumors in children are rare. An equally uncommon finding is the inflammatory pseudotumor, a lesion that is grossly similar to a tumor and yet cannot be histologically defined as a neoplasm. They have been called xanthomas, histiocytomas, solitary mast cell granulomas, and xanthogranulomas by various authors. There is a tendency to overtreat these lesions as if they were malignant. In previous reports, lobectomy has been the usual treatment for these tumors. If a pseudotumor is suspected at exploratory thoracotomy, a wedge resection and frozen section should be considered. When these benign lesions are easily accessible, they can be enucleated, leaving all of the normal pulmonary tissue intact without compromising cure.