Endobronchial teratoma associated with bronchiectasis and bronchiolectasis.

A teratoma in a young West Indian of Negro race is reported. The teratoma presented radiologically in the left upper lobe as an ill-defined shadow which contained a crescent-shaped translucent area and simulated a mycetoma. In addition, the left lung showed widespread nodular shadows. The left lung was resected and the teratoma was found to be endobronchial in position. This is a very rare site for a teratoma as only one of the 15 previously reported intrapulmonary teratomata may have been endobronchial. The remainder of the left lung remote from the tumour showed generalized bronchiectasis both radiologically and pathologically. The bronchiectasis was of follicular type and in addition there was widespread bronchiolectasis. The inflammatory reaction associated with the latter was responsible for the nodular shadows. The significance of these changes in relation to the teratoma is discussed.