Unusual giant pleural lipomas: imaging features

Abstract

Pleural lipomas are rarely encountered in the thoracic cavity. Sometimes, they infiltrate the intercostal space to have a component on either side of the intercostal space forming a hourglass configuration. They are generally solitary, small and asymptomatic. We present the case of a 49-year-old man with two giant pleural lipomas, both originating from the right parietal pleura, and one of which was passing through the intercostal space giving rise to a hourglass-shaped configuration. When they occur, although benign, considering the evolutionary potential, excision is recommended.