PULMONARY CHONDROID HAMARTOMA PRESENTING AS AN INFLATABLE NECK MASS

Pulmonary hamartomas most often present as solitary coin lesions of th e lung. Less frequently, they can present as cystic lesions in the pul monary parenchyma. We describe a case of a cystic pulmonary hamartoma presenting as in inflatable neck mass. The lesion was successfully tre ated by surgical excision suing a staged transcervical and thoracotomy approach. The differential diagnosis of inflatable cervical masses is outlined along with a discussion of the pathogenesis and treatment of hamartomas. A clinical technique that is helpful in localizing the so urce of inflatable cervical masses is described for use when radiologi c examinations are not specific in locating the source of the lesion.