Methods: From January 2000 to December 2006, 15 patients (11 males, 4 females; mean age 53.5 years; range 42 to 68 years) with pulmonary hamartomas underwent surgical resection in our department. In this study, these cases were evaluated retrospectively with respect to clinical, histopathological and radiological features, surgical methods and the results of treatment.

Results: Fifteen cases with pulmonary hamartomas were included in the study. Six of these 15 patients were asymptomatic (40%); in the remainder cases chest pain, cough, shorthness of breath, recurrent pulmonary infections or hemoptysis were present. There was calcification in six patients (40%). In 11 cases the mass was <3 cm in diameter (73.3%) and in nine cases it was located in the superficial edge of the lung, infour cases it had endobronchial location. The surgical procedures which were performed were enuclation in two cases, bronchotomy in two, wedge resection in seven, segmentectomy in one, lobectomy in one and pneumonectomy in two. No deaths ocurred during operations and there were only minor postoperative complications. There was no postoperative death and no recurrent pulmonary hamartomas developed in the 12-month mean follow up period (4 to 55 months).

Conclusion: Pulmonary hamartomas usually present as solitary pulmonary nodules. Definite diagnosis and the treatment can be achieved by surgical resection with minimal morbidity.