Same-day diagnosis and robotic resection of rare primary pulmonary melanoma: a robotic bronchoscopy-guided approach.
Andres Fontaine-Nicola, Emiliano Gabriel Manueli Laos, Mario A Masrur et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A man in his 70s presented with a lingular pulmonary nodule suspicious for non-small cell lung cancer. He underwent robotic navigation bronchoscopy for biopsy, which was followed by robotic-assisted thoracic surgery. Intraoperative frozen section analysis revealed a malignant spindle cell neoplasm, leading to definitive resection. Final histopathology confirmed melanoma of unknown primary. The patient received adjuvant immunotherapy and remains disease-free at 24 months.
What made this case unusual
The case illustrates a rare presentation of pulmonary melanoma that mimicked lung carcinoma, highlighting the diagnostic challenge in such cases.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider pulmonary melanoma in the differential diagnosis of lung nodules, especially when typical presentations of lung carcinoma are suspected.
Why it matters
This case underscores the potential of robotic techniques to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment, improving patient outcomes in complex cases.