Endobronchial Lipoma Associated With Destroyed Lobe

Abstract

Endobronchial lipomas are rare, benign lesions that usually obstruct a major bronchus and cause irreversible pulmonary damage distally. Endobronchial lipomas originate from fat cells located in the peribronchial tissue and occasionally the submucosal tissue of large bronchi and comprise only approximately 0.1% of all tumors and approximately 13% of benign pulmonary tumors. They may be diagnosed clinically as bronchial adenoma or malignant lesion, and the result of delayed therapy may be bronchiectasis. Treatment includes local resection through a bronchoscope or a bronchotomy incision, or removal, if necessary, of the obstructed lobe or lung at thoracotomy. We report a case of a endobronchial lipoma treated successfully with lobectomy in a 42-year-old man.