Complications during removal of a pedunculated endobronchial leiomyosarcoma

Pedunculated endobronchial leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma is comparatively rare and is known to produce intermittent, partial or complete obstruction of the ipsilateral lung. Rarely it causes obstruction of the contralateral main bronchus. Fatalities have been caused by obstruction of the contralateral main bronchus during surgery. A pedunculated intrabronchial leiomyosarcoma obstructing the contralateral main bronchus is reported. Some 29 cases of primary leiomyosarcoma of the lung have been reported (Gale and Delarue, 1967). Arising from smooth muscle in the bronchi or blood vessels, leiomyoma is a rare tumour and stands fourth in the frequency of primary meso-dermal tumours of the lung, being preceded by fibroma, chondroma, and lipoma (Andrews, 1965). Detachment of the tumour during operation ha