Endobronchial Lipoma: An Unusual Cause of Bronchial Obstruction

Abstract

Endobronchial lipoma is a rare benign tumor. It is difficult to differentiate benign endobronchial lipoma from their malignant counterparts, as their symptoms and complications are almost alike. Here, we describe the clinical and radiological features of EL in two cases. Multislice CT (MSCT) may play an important role in the diagnosis for EL.

Endobronchial lipoma, an extremely rare benign tumour of the lung, mimicking asthma bronchiale

“…[1][2][3] The majority are located in the first three subdivisions of the tracheobronchial tree with a preference of the right lung 1,2 and transbronchial extension is rare. 2 They are more seen in men in the fifth or sixth decade of life, especially in those with obesity and smoking.…”

“…Haemoptysis is uncommon due to the avascular nature of these tumour, but it can occasionally occur as a result of post-obstructive infection. [1][2][3] Sometimes they remain asymptomatic and detected through abnormal conventional radiographs or at autopsy. 2 Macroscopically, lipomas appear as a pedunculated or sessile yellow-grey polypoid lesion with a smooth surface.…”

“…1,3 Histologically, they originate from submucosal or interstitial adipose tissue and are lined by normal respiratory epithelium. [1][2][3] Conventional chest radiography shows non-specific post-obstructive changes such as atelectasis, pneumonia, and even bronchiectasis in 80%, but is generally non-diagnostic. [1][2][3] The imaging modality of choice for establishing the diagnosis of lipoma is CT or MRI because of their high specificity and sensitivity of detecting these fat density lesions.…”

“…1-3 A homogenous lesion with low attenuation around 2100 Hounsfield unit (Hu) on CT is suggestive for a lipoma. 3 However, the gold standard for diagnosis is bronchoscopy, as it identifies the location of the lipoma and facilitates collection of tissue for histopathology. [1][2][3] Note that transbronchial biopsies are frequently inadequate for diagnosis since the capsule of the lipoma is pliable and covered with normal respiratory epithelium and thus, complete resection is needed to confirm diagnosis.…”

Catch me if you can - Das endobronchiale Lipom

“…Die poststenotische Pneumonie bestimmt das klinische Erscheinungsbild aus trockenem oder produktivem Husten, Thoraxschmerzen, Luftnot und Fieber. Ferner wurden im Kontext poststenotischer Pneumonien durch endobronchiale Lipome Hämoptysen beschrieben [6]. Risikofaktoren, die zur Entstehung dieser Tumorart führen, sind nicht eindeutig identifiziert.…”