Presentation
Cough. Right-sided pleural effusion.
Patient Data
Dense lower zone opacity.
Proximally the lung is enclosed by lobulated peripheral soft-tissue.
Extensive lobulated pleural thickening encasing the right lung. Thickening is most extreme in the lower zone and extends into the oblique fissure.
Core biopsy revealed mesothelioma.
Case Discussion
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), which is associated with previous asbestos exposure in approximately 80% of cases, is the most common pleural malignancy 1.
Chest CT is the preferred imaging modality for diagnosis and staging of MPM. Key imaging findings of MPM include unilateral diffuse or nodular pleural thickening, unilateral pleural effusion, and multifocal studding of pleural surfaces 2.
Common radiographic features that indicate asbestos exposure include round atelectasis of the lower lobes, pleural plaques and pleural fibrosis 2.
This case is courtesy of Dr. Sayf Al-Katib.
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