Angiomyolipoma in the lung detected 15 years after a nephrectomy for renal angiomyolipoma.

Angiomyolipoma is generally found in the kidney, but is especially rare in the lung. Nine cases of angiomyolipoma in the lung have been reported previously, and in 3 of these patients it was involved with nephrectomy for renal angiomyolipoma. The origination of the tumor was not completely recognized, but lymphangioleiomyomatosis and angiomyolipoma are known to have a common feature. The pathogenesis of angiomyolipoma in the lung has recently been researched in relation with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. We review these case reports of angiomyolipoma in the lung and discuss the clinical features and the generation of these tumors. (Ann Thorac Surg 2010; 89: 298-300) (C) 2010 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons