Solitary pulmonary chondroma in a 59-year-old Caucasian woman: a case report

Pulmonary chondroma is a rare benign tumor made of chondrocytes, typically presenting radiologically as solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules. It can also be encountered in the Carney's triad, which associates pulmonary chondroma, gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and adrenal paraganglioma. We report a rare case of pulmonary chondroma presenting with atypical radiological features.

A 59-year-old woman was referred for chronic dyspnea and a smoking history of 40 pack-years quitted 9 years ago. Pulmonary function tests revealed a moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A thoraco-abdominal CT-scan revealed a 2-cm non-calcified nodule of the left lower lobe with a low [18 F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18 F-FDG) uptake (SUV max: 1,1). Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was normal. Surgical resection of the nodule was performed revealing a benign tumor made of mature cartilage allowing the diagnosis of a pulmonary chondroma. No evidence of GIST or adrenal paraganglioma was identified. No recurrence was observed after 24 months of follow-up.

The occurrence of pulmonary chondroma is uncommon. Its potential association with GIST or paragangliomas warrants careful, long-term surveillance.