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Adenocarcinoma of the lung

Case contributed by Hani Makky Al Salam
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chest pain.

Patient Data

Age: 76
Gender: Female

Chest radiographs

x-ray

The right hilum appears bulky. The lateral radiograph confirms the enlargement of the right hilum.

CT Chest

ct

There is an infiltrative mass at the right hilum. There are associated several small ground glass nodules at the right middle lobe and right lower lobe.

Case Discussion

This case demonstrates one of the "blind spots" in plain film radiography which is the hilum. Assessment of hila for abnormal contour, increase in the size is very important as changes may be subtle as in this case.

There are some areas that need special attention because pathology in these areas can easily be overlooked: apical zones, hilar zones, retrocardial zone and zone below the dome of the diaphragm.

These areas are also known as the hidden areas or blind spots in chest plain films.

Right lower lobe endobronchial biopsy: Non-small cell carcinoma favor Adenocarcinoma. Tumor cells are TTF+, CK5/6 -, and P63 -

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