Pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia is a proliferation of neuroendocrine cells confined by the bronchial basement membrane.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia
Diagnosis in short
LM	proliferation of neuroendocrine cells confined by the basement membrane of the bronchus.
LM DDx	carcinoid tumourlet, diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia, pulmonary meningothelial-like nodule
Site	lung
Syndromes	if diffuse diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH)
Symptoms	none
Prevalence	very common
Prognosis	benign
Treatment	none required

General

• Common.
• May be seen in the context of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia.

Microscopic

Features:

• Proliferation of neuroendocrine cells - confined by the basement membrane of the bronchus.
  • Salt and pepper chromatin.

Note:

• They often project into the airway.

DDx:

• Carcinoid tumourlet - extends beyond the basement membrane and less than 5 mm in maximal dimension.
• Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia.
• Pulmonary meningothelial-like nodule.

See also

• Neuroendocrine tumours.
• Neuroendocrine markers.
• Lung tumours.