Imaging Features of Various Benign and Malignant Tumors and Tumorlike Conditions of the Pleura: A Pictorial Review

Abstract

Pleural masses may be caused by various conditions, including benign and malignant neoplasms and non-neoplastic tumorlike conditions. Primary pleural neoplasms include solitary fibrous tumor, malignant mesothelioma, and primary pleural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Metastatic disease is the most common neoplasm of the pleura and may uncommonly occur in patients with hematologic malignancy, including lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. Pleural effusion is usually associated with pleural malignancy. Rarely, pleural malignancy may arise from chronic empyema, and the most common cell type is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (pyothorax-associated lymphoma). Non-neoplastic pleural masses may be observed in several benign conditions, including tuberculosis, pleural plaques caused by asbestos exposure, and pleural loose body. Herein, we present a review of benign and malignant pleural neoplasms and tumorlike conditions with illustrations of their computed tomographic images.

Pleural metastasis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma mimicking diffuse mesothelioma: A case report and literature study

“…Mesothelioma is known as nodular thickening of the pleura that occur strictly unilateral but circumferentially diffuse, involving fissures and diaphragmatic pleura, and may also affect the pericardium [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]. Mesothelioma also often causes volume loss in the affected lung, causing elevation of the diaphragm, narrowing of intercostal space, and mediastinal shift [ 4 , 7 ]. Nonetheless, mesothelioma rarely appears as a localized mass [7] .…”

“…Mesothelioma also often causes volume loss in the affected lung, causing elevation of the diaphragm, narrowing of intercostal space, and mediastinal shift [ 4 , 7 ]. Nonetheless, mesothelioma rarely appears as a localized mass [7] . Although common in mesothelioma, pleural effusion is not a specific finding and may occur in other malignant pathologies, such as metastatic processes, and benign processes, such as heart failure [ 3 , 8 ].…”

“…Although common in mesothelioma, pleural effusion is not a specific finding and may occur in other malignant pathologies, such as metastatic processes, and benign processes, such as heart failure [ 3 , 8 ]. In advanced disease, metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes and lung nodules may also present [7] .…”