Progressive massive fibrosis
Updates to Article Attributes
Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) refers to the formation of large mass-like conglomerates, predominantly in the upper pulmonary lobes, associated with radiating strands. These classically develop in the context of certain pneumoconioses (especially coal worker's pneumoconiosis and silicosis) although similar mass-like densities have occasionally been described with talcosis.
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
Large symmetric bilateral opacities with irregular margins in the upper lobes 3.
CT
Mass-like areas of lung opacification associated with radiating strands are seen; the "sausage-shaped" mass is characteristic. These regions commonly contain air bronchograms and calcifications 4. These areas can shrink over time and migrate towards the hilar regions 5.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful for distinguishing between progressive massive fibrosis and lung cancer 3. The latter typically appears as T2-bright, whereas progressive massive fibrosis appears as T2-dark (compared to skeletal muscle)3.
The most frequent MRI appearance are regions which have following signal characteristics 1-2,2:
- T1: iso- to hyperintense
-
T2:
- hypointense (compared with skeletal muscle)
- areas of internal high T2 signal
- there may be rim enhancement
Nuclear medicine
On PET-CT, progressive massive fibrosis can be FDG-avid 3.
Differential diagnosis
Possible differential considerations include:
- pulmonary talc granulomatosis
- sarcoidosis
- silicosis
- lung cancer: has a higher SUVmax on PET-CT 7
In some situations consider, pulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis
-<p><strong>Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF)</strong> refers to the formation of large mass-like conglomerates, predominantly in the upper pulmonary lobes, associated with radiating strands. These classically develop in the context of certain <a href="/articles/pneumoconiosis">pneumoconioses</a> (especially <a href="/articles/coal-workers-pneumoconiosis-2">coal worker's pneumoconiosis</a> and <a href="/articles/silicosis">silicosis</a>) although similar mass-like densities have occasionally been described with <a href="/articles/talcosis-1">talcosis</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>CT</h5><p>Mass-like areas of lung opacification associated with radiating strands are seen; the "sausage-shaped" mass is characteristic. These regions commonly contain <a href="/articles/air-bronchogram">air bronchograms</a> and calcifications <sup>4</sup>. These areas can shrink over time and migrate towards the hilar regions <sup>5</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful for distinguishing between progressive massive fibrosis and <a href="/articles/lung-cancer-3">lung cancer</a> <sup>3</sup>. The latter typically appears as T2-bright, whereas progressive massive fibrosis appears as T2-dark (compared to skeletal muscle)<sup>3</sup>.</p><p>The most frequent MRI appearance are regions which have following signal characteristics <sup>1-2</sup>:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF)</strong> refers to the formation of large mass-like conglomerates, predominantly in the upper pulmonary lobes, associated with radiating strands. These classically develop in the context of certain <a href="/articles/pneumoconiosis">pneumoconioses</a> (especially <a href="/articles/coal-workers-pneumoconiosis-2">coal worker's pneumoconiosis</a> and <a href="/articles/silicosis">silicosis</a>) although similar mass-like densities have occasionally been described with <a href="/articles/talcosis-1">talcosis</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Large symmetric bilateral opacities with irregular margins in the upper lobes <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>Mass-like areas of lung opacification associated with radiating strands are seen; the "sausage-shaped" mass is characteristic. These regions commonly contain <a href="/articles/air-bronchogram">air bronchograms</a> and calcifications <sup>4</sup>. These areas can shrink over time and migrate towards the hilar regions <sup>5</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful for distinguishing between progressive massive fibrosis and <a href="/articles/lung-cancer-3">lung cancer</a> <sup>3</sup>. The latter typically appears as T2-bright, whereas progressive massive fibrosis appears as T2-dark (compared to skeletal muscle) <sup>3</sup>.</p><p>The most frequent MRI appearance are regions which have following signal characteristics <sup>1,2</sup>:</p><ul>
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