A case of endobronchial minute leiomyoma and literature review of the 66 cases of endotracheal and endobronchial leiomyoma reported in Japan]

A case of endobronchial minute leiomyoma successfully treated by bronchoscopically directed forceps biopsy is described. A 42-year-old male with a 20 pack-year smoking history was admitted for dry cough occurring at night. Chest X-ray showed no abnormal shadows. The tumor, measuring 2 by 2 mm, was located in the right B7. The clinical characteristics of the 66 cases of endotracheal and endobronchial leiomyoma reported in Japan are also discussed. The male to female ratio of this disease was 2:3. Middle-aged people were most, commonly affected. Usually, obstructive pneumonia or atelectasis, which develops distal to the lesion, causes respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray abnormality. However, 10% of cases were asymptomatic and 30% had a negative chest X-ray. There were 7 cases of endobronchial minute leiomyoma, measuring less than 10 mm in diameter. Of these, three cases had only hemoptysis and had no chest X-ray abnormality. In such cases fiberoptic bronchoscopy is may be the only useful procedure for the diagnosis of this disease.