Endobronchial lipoma

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Endobronchial lipomas are rare benign lesions arising from the adipose tissue in the submucosal layer of the bronchial wall.

Epidemiology

Rare benign tumor with a possible male predilection.

Clinical presentation

Presenting symptoms include a cough, sputum, hemoptysis and dyspnea; however, patients may be asymptomatic.

Radiographic features

CT
  • fat-density (HU of -40 to -120) lesion with smooth margins located in the bronchus
  • there may be an associated lung collapse or distal airway dilatation, occasionally with infiltration or consolidation

Treatment and prognosis

Bronchoscopic resection is typically the first line of treatment for endobronchial lipoma.

Differential diagnosis

An endobronchial hamartoma may appear identical to an endobronchial lipoma on CT.

See also