Benign Tumors of the Tracheobronchial Tree: CT-Pathologic Correlation

The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the CT findings of variable benign tumors of the tracheobronchial tree and to correlate the CT and pathologic findings in 17 patients. The tracheal tumors were eccentric, well-defined, polypoid masses in all cases. The endobronchial tumors were masses confined within the bronchus in all cases, and atelectasis or pneumonia of the distal parenchyma was frequently associated. Of the six hamartomas, one was a fatty mass, and two were nodules with calcification. The others were soft-tissue-density nodules. The lipomas manifested as fat density on CT scans in both cases. The other benign tumors were low-attenuating, soft-tissue-density masses without characteristic findings on CT scans.