Endobronchial Lipoma: The Diagnostic Benefit of Computed Tomography Findings.

A 70-year-old woman was admitted with persistent stridor and exertional dyspnea. Her symptoms had not improved, despite the prolonged use of inhaled corticosteroids. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed the decreased density of the left lower lung and an endobronchial tumor at the bifurcation of the left-upper and lower lobe bronchi, which presented with fat density (arrows in Picture A and B). Bronchoscopy revealed a smooth-surfaced polypoid tumor almost entirely occluding the bronchus. Biopsy specimens showed adipose tissue without any cellular atypia. The patient's symptoms disappeared following the complete removal of the tumor by rigid endoscopy. A pathological examination revealed a polypoid tumor, covered with stratified ciliated epithelial cells, which consisted of mature adipocytes (Picture C, D). Endobronchial lipomas may be treated as asthma (1), similarly to the present case. Their incidence ranges from 0.1% to 0.5% of all lung neoplasms (2), and a total of 3.2% to 9.5% of all benign endobronchial tumors are lipomas. On CT, the endobronchial fat density of the tumor, which indicates adipose tissue, may be helpful for avoiding excessive examinations or extended surgery.

Picture.

The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).