Isa DONGEL, Hasan Emre YILDIRIM, Hasan Ekrem CAMAS
Journal of Emergency Medicine Case Reports - 2026;17(2):66-68
Heterotopic ossification refers to bone formation in soft tissues, and its presence in non-skeletal organs is rare. Pulmonary heterotopic ossification (PHO) is an unusual condition, increasingly detected with the widespread use of computed tomography. PHO is often associated with tuberculosis and pulmonary tumors. We present a male patient with a history of tuberculosis who developed massive hemoptysis. Imaging revealed a nodule in the left upper lobe, and the patient underwent a diagnostic and therapeutic Culmen resection (S1-3 segmentectomy). Postoperatively, his symptoms resolved, and histopathology confirmed PHO. Diagnosis of PHO relies on histopathological evaluation, although chest X-ray and computed tomography provide initial clues. Massive hemoptysis, commonly defined as >=600 mL within 24 hours or >=100 mL per hour, represents a life-threatening condition that may require urgent surgical intervention. In patients presenting with hemoptysis accompanied by radiologic ossification or calcification, pulmonary hamartoma (PHO) should be considered in the differential diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, the coexistence of massive hemoptysis and PHO has not previously been reported in the literature. This case highlights a rare but clinically important presentation and emphasizes the need for careful radiologic evaluation and timely surgical management in similar scenarios.
