Most pleural metastases originate from adenocarcinomas. Primary sites are commonly lung, breast and ovary.

In this case the patient had undergone surgical removal of a melanoma of the back. Contrast medium was not administered for renal failure. Histological analysis later confirmed the diagnosis as a pleural metastasis from melanoma.

The most common finding in pleural metastases is pleural effusion, but diffuse or focal pleural thickening is another possible finding.