Dendriform pulmonary ossification in a patient with mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Abstract

Dendriform pulmonary ossification is a chronic process characterized by the presence of heterotopic bone within the interstitium and alveolar walls. It usually occurs in the setting of chronic inflammation. We report an unusual case of a 54-year-old man with a history of relapsing Hodgkin lymphoma who was diagnosed with concomitant mucoepidermoid pulmonary carcinoma and dendriform ossifications. The radiological features were initially misinterpreted as post-radiation pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis. The diagnosis was finally established after considering both the radiological and pathological findings. Dendriform pulmonary ossification is an under-recognized disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lung chronic diseases.

Idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification incidentally found in a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease: Case report and literature review

“…The latter association was reported as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, usual interstitial pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, organizing pneumonia, asbestosis, heavy metals exposure, pneumothorax, and osteogenesis imperfecta [5,[15][16][17]. Additionally, the coexistence of DPO with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary malignancies has been reported as lung adenocarcinoma, metastatic melanoma [18], mucoepidermoid carcinoma [19], and duodenal adenocarcinoma [20].…”

“…Diffuse pulmonary ossification can produce serious complications such as respiratory failure ending up with lung transplantation. Henceforth, awareness of this entity as a differential diagnosis of chronic lung diseases is necessary because it is, usually, misinterpreted radiologically as pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or lymphangitic spread of tumor [4,19].…”