ABSTRACT
Objective To improve our knowledge of primary benign tracheobronchial tumors and increase the early diagnosis rate. Method The clinical and imaging features of 22 patients with benign tracheobronchial tumors were retrospectively analyzed. The lesions were surgically or pathologically confirmed as schwannomas(n=2),lipomas(n=3),hamartomas(n=3),leiomyomas(n=9),inflammatory myofibroblastoma(n=1),and pleomorphic adenomas(n=2).The early symptoms were concealed and atypical,accompanied by misdiagnoses at different time points.The tumors were located at trachea in 5 patients and at bronchus in 17 patients.All lesions manifested as intraluminal growth with mild to moderate enhancement,without thickening of the tracheobronchial wall.They had smooth margins and wide basements.The lesions were cast-shaped and occluded the lumen in 3 cases;in the remaining 19 cases,the lesions appeared as round or oval nodules. Conclusions Primary benign tracheobronchial tumors are rare.Patients with repeated cough and expectoration that respond poorly to treatment should be screened for benign tracheobronchial tumors.On CT,the benign tracheobronchial tumors are small intraluminal nodules with the smooth surface and wide basement,without thickening of the wall.