# 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.

## Key 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.