Successful laser-treatment of an endobronchial hemangioma in an infant

Capillary hemangioma situated within the left main bronchus was diagnosed in a 5-month-old male infant suffering from severe respiratory distress. Diagnosis was made by bronchoscopy, medium-enhanced computer tomography, endobronchial sonography, and histologic examination. We report the first successful resection of this kind of lesion using a Neodym-Yag laser. The infant was discharged free from clinical symptoms. No adverse effects could be detected in the follow-up examinations. In conclusion, even with endobronchial hemangiomas laser therapy offers a less invasive, safe, and fast alternative to surgical resection.