Idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification diagnosed only after a surgical biopsy: A case report

TL;DR

A case report describes a rare lung condition diagnosed only after a surgical biopsy, highlighting the importance of careful monitoring.

Contribution

This case report adds to the limited understanding of idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification and its diagnostic challenges.

Findings

IDPO was confirmed only after surgical biopsy, not transbronchial methods.

No disease progression was observed in the patient over 3.5 years.

A nationwide survey in Japan found cases with disease progression.

Abstract

Idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification (IDPO) presents as dendritic ossification of the lungs without a particular cause. IDPO is often diagnosed using surgical biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), or transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC). In this case report, we described a 36-year-old male who presented with abnormal chest findings radiographically. TBLB was performed but no diagnosis was made. Instead, IDPO was diagnosed following a surgical biopsy. CT tomography and respiratory function tests showed no progression over the past 3.5 years. However, a nationwide survey in Japan revealed several cases of disease progression. Considering this, careful monitoring of the disease is recommended.

•IDPO presents as dendritic ossification of the lungs without a particular cause.•In this case report, IDPO was diagnosed following a surgical biopsy.•A nationwide survey in Japan revealed several cases of disease progression.•Careful monitoring of the disease is recommended.

IDPO presents as dendritic ossification of the lungs without a particular cause.

In this case report, IDPO was diagnosed following a surgical biopsy.

A nationwide survey in Japan revealed several cases of disease progression.

Careful monitoring of the disease is recommended.

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