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Pleural pseudotumor

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Infective symptoms.

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Female

Chest x-ray

x-ray

Chest x-ray (rotated to the right) demonstrates widespread airspace opacity (possibly with early cavitation) in the right mid zone. A large left sided pleural effusion is present with associated atelectasis. Nasogastric tube and ECG leads noted. 

In the left upper zone a well circumscribed opacity is visible. 

CT chest - a few days earlier

ct

Coronal reformats of a CT of the chest obtained a few days earlier demonstrates that the opacity in the left upper zone is due to encysted fluid in the superior part of the oblique fissure. 

Case Discussion

This case illustrates the typical appearance of encysted pleural fluid, resulting in a pulmonary  pseudotumor. It also highlights the usefulness and necessity of reviewing previous films. 

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