Lung metastases

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Previous head and neck malignancy. Night sweats and dyspnea.

Patient Data

Age: 65 years
x-ray

Multiple lung nodules and masses in both lungs of variable size.  No internal cavitation.

Normal mediastinal contours.

Heart size normal.

Surgical clips in the left axilla.

Case Discussion

Multiple nodules in both lungs of variable size with a prior history of malignancy are virtually always metastases.

Remember a lung nodule is termed a mass when 3 cm or greater.

Head and neck malignancies are typically squamous cell carcinomas and often cavitate when metastatic, although not in this case.

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