Pleural effusion resembling a lung tumor: phantom tumor of the lung

Shaikh, Soorih; Shaikh, Sarwan

doi:10.4103/1110-7782.203292

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…However, the formation of the pleural effusion and the stretching of the pleura results in the tumor-shaped effusion, which is eventually shown in the chest radiography as resembling pulmonary masses. 17 In COVID-19, pleural effusions occur due to the increased interstitial fluid content from leaking microvasculatures. This condition is caused by the intense inflammation from the SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the lung parenchyma.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phantom Tumors in COVID-19: A Case Report

Ferdiana¹,

Putra

Lawrence

et al. 2022

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Introduction: A phantom tumor, or vanishing lung pseudotumor, is an atypical type of pleural effusion in which there is an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity. It is a transient and well-demarcated accumulation of pleural fluid in the interlobar pulmonary fissures and is generally associated with congestive heart failure, hypoalbuminemia, renal failure, hepatic failure, pneumonia, and tuberculosis or pleuritis. In Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), pleural effusions are also considered uncommon, and they could reflect a more severe state of the condition. The correct diagnosis is important to prevent unnecessary and potentially harmful investigation and treatment. In this study, we reported a rare case of a pleural effusion appearing as a phantom tumor in COVID-19 without congestive heart failure. Case: A 29-year-old man was presented with complaints of dry cough, sore throat accompanied by fever, and fatigue. He denied shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell. He had no smoking habit and did not have any past medical history. Physical examinations were within normal limits, except for a slight fever. The laboratory examination showed positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and an increased liver function test. His chest X-ray revealed findings suggestive of a phantom tumor accompanied by bilateral pneumonia. The patient received COVID-19 treatments. A follow-up chest X-ray revealed the complete resolution of the lesion. Conclusion: A phantom tumor is a rare case. It is not only caused by heart disease but also by other causes, one of which is COVID-19. The treatment for this condition is based on the underlying disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phantom Tumors in COVID-19: A Case Report

Ferdiana¹,

Putra

Lawrence

et al. 2022

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“…1,5 Due to its underlying pathophysiology as described, it is common that those loculated pleural effusions are found in the horizontal fissure in about three-quarters of the reported cases, followed by the oblique fissure, and very rarely multiple collections in both fissures. 5,6 One should not deduce that such loculated pleural effusion only occurs in patients with severe heart failure, but it can occur in any patient with congestive heart failure presenting with fluid overload. Apart from heart failure, it is important to remember that phantom tumours can also occur in patients with overwhelming fluid overload due to other diseases as long as they share similar pathophysiology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to its underlying pathophysiology as described, it is common that those loculated pleural effusions are found in the horizontal fissure in about three-quarters of the reported cases, followed by the oblique fissure, and very rarely multiple collections in both fissures. 5,6…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A publication proposed that recognising such a chest radiograph might save the patient from being exposed to unnecessary ionising radiation from CT Thorax. 6 A lateral chest radiograph can help with diagnosis because it is very sensitive and can detect effusions as small as 5 mL in experimental studies. 7 However, assessment via CT thorax is vital in doubtful cases to assist the physician in making an accurate diagnosis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lung mass in patient with congestive heart failure – Now you see it, now you don’t !

Yeh

Ahmad

Alaga

2022

Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare

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Phantom tumour, vanishing tumour, and pseudotumour of the lung are terms used to describe the tumour appearance on a chest radiograph of a decompensated heart failure patient, which typically disappears after appropriate treatment of their underlying condition. It is a loculated pleural effusion in the fissures that gives rise to the tumour appearance on the chest radiograph of a patient with heart failure. Its existence might mislead the diagnosis, resulting in unnecessary invasive diagnostic investigations done on the patient. We present a case of a 64 year-old male with multiple co-morbidities presenting with dyspnea, loss of weight, and loss of appetite. A chest radiograph showed homogenous opacity over the right lower zone with cardiomegaly, raising the suspicion of a lung mass apart from heart failure. It disappeared after appropriate diuretic treatment. The computed tomography (CT) thorax, which was planned by the primary team, subsequently showed no lung mass. Hence, a high index of suspicion of phantom tumour is important when a lung mass is noted on a chest radiograph of a patient clinically presented with heart failure. This is because exposure to ionising radiation from CT is completely avoidable with just appropriate treatment of fluid overload. However, CT is still the best modality for assisting physicians in a doubtful case.

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Pleural effusion resembling a lung tumor: phantom tumor of the lung

Cited by 2 publications

References 3 publications

Phantom Tumors in COVID-19: A Case Report

Phantom Tumors in COVID-19: A Case Report

Lung mass in patient with congestive heart failure – Now you see it, now you don’t !

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