Pulmonary nodular amyloidosis in a patient undergoing lobectomy: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary amyloidosis is rare and is often misdiagnosed due a lack of general awareness. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report we describe a 69-year-old Chinese woman who presented with a right lower lobe pulmonary nodule. After video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, a histopathologic diagnosis of pulmonary nodular amyloidosis was rendered. She has done well postoperatively, showing no local recurrence or distal disease in an 8-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Distinguishing parenchymal nodular amyloidosis from a malignant lung tumor is often quite difficult. In the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, nodular amyloidosis should be considered to avoid unnecessary lobectomy.