Recurrent obstructive pneumonia caused by endobronchial fibroma: a case report and literature review

Objective To enhance the understanding of endobronchial fibroma and improve the diagnosis rate of the disease. Methods One patient with endobronchial fibroma treated in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University was reported, and the published literatures in English were reviewed. Results Seven male and two female patients were included, with a mean age of (45±12) years old.The main symptoms included cough, chest tightness, hemoptysis, fever, chest pain.The tumors were found in the trachea, main bronchi and lobular bronchi.Chest CT showed endobronchial lump shadow in four cases, and three patients were diagnosed by pathological examination of the transbronchial biopsy specimen.Interventional therapy by bronchoscopy was carried out in four cases.Five patients underwent surgical resection. Conclusions Endobronchial fibroma is a rare disease, the clinical and imaging features are nonspecific.It is difficult to distinguish with other tumors in the airway.It is necessary to make a definite diagnosis with histopathological and immunohistochemical findings.For recurrent pneumonia in the same site, bronchoscopy should be performed.Endobronchial fibroma can be treated with high frequency electrocoagulation snare under bronchoscope. Key words: Fibroma; Bronchoscopy; Obstructive pneumonia