Endobronchial Hamartoma Diagnosed Using Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy: A Case Report

Endobronchial hamartomas are rare benign tumors in the airway. Establishing a histopathological diagnosis using conventional bronchoscopic forceps biopsy can be challenging because these tumors frequently contain hard cartilaginous components. Herein, we report a case of an endobronchial hamartoma diagnosed using a tissue sample obtained from transbronchial lung cryobiopsy. A 64-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of a persistent pulmonary lesion after treatment for bacterial pneumonia. Chest computed tomography revealed a ring-shaped calcified lesion at the entrance of the left B3b bronchus with distal atelectasis. Bronchoscopy demonstrated a pedunculated polypoid lesion occupying most of the bronchial lumen. Conventional forceps biopsy failed to obtain sufficient tissue for diagnosis. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy was subsequently performed, which yielded an adequate specimen containing cartilaginous and mesenchymal components, leading to a histopathological diagnosis of endobronchial hamartoma. The patient remained clinically stable without recurrence of respiratory infection during 2 years of follow-up. This case suggests that transbronchial lung cryobiopsy may be a useful bronchoscopic diagnostic option for selected cases of endobronchial hamartoma when conventional forceps biopsy is insufficient.