Complete Right Upper Lobe Atelectasis Caused by an Endobronchial Hamartoma: Diagnostic Challenges and Successful...

Endobronchial hamartomas are very rare benign lung tumours that may cause airway obstruction and are frequently misdiagnosed due to limited biopsy samples. A 53-year-old overweight male, heavy smoker with hypertension, presented to the emergency department with dyspnoea and cough not responsive to antibiotics and steroid therapy. Laboratory tests, including inflammatory markers, were normal. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed complete atelectasis of the right upper lobe while flexible bronchoscopy revealed an obstructive endobronchial lesion. Initial bronchoscopic biopsies suggested a lipoma while definitive diagnosis of endobronchial hamartoma was achieved after obtaining larger tissue samples during rigid bronchoscopy. The lesion was completely removed using a coring-out technique with rigid bronchoscopy and laser coagulation, leading to full airway recanalization and clinical recovery. Endobronchial hamartomas may mimic other benign tumours on limited biopsy specimens. Rigid bronchoscopy allows both definitive diagnosis and effective treatment, preventing unnecessary surgical resection.