Pleural Nodules and Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in a Smoker: An Unusual Case Report

The authors report a case of thoracic splenosis, which is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the pleural cavity. Splenosis in the chest is a rare entity and most often an incidental finding on chest computed tomography, typically showing solitary or multiple well-defined, noncalcified pl...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Damien Desbuquoit, Stijn  Van Hecke, Pjotr Even, Paul M. Parizel, Jan P. van Meerbeeck, Annemie Snoeckx
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2016-08-01
Series:Case Reports in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/448803
Description
Summary:The authors report a case of thoracic splenosis, which is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the pleural cavity. Splenosis in the chest is a rare entity and most often an incidental finding on chest computed tomography, typically showing solitary or multiple well-defined, noncalcified pleural nodules of variable size in the left hemithorax. It is important to include this benign pathology in the differential diagnosis among other, generally malignant, pleural lesions. Imaging clues to the diagnosis are absence of the spleen and/or associated rib fractures. Early identification of thoracic splenosis as a cause of pleural nodules can prevent unnecessary and risky invasive procedures, such as biopsy or surgery.
ISSN:1662-6575