Radiological features and surgical management of lung abscess directly extending into the chest wall: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: We presented an extremely rare case of lung abscess following bronchoscopy associated with lung cancer that extended directly into the chest wall. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old man with adenocarcinoma underwent bronchoscopy. Eight days after the biopsy, the patient presented with chills and anterior chest wall pain. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a gas-containing lung abscess, measuring 10 cm in the left upper lobe and subcutaneous emphysema. The coronal view of the CT indicated a continuous passage of air from the lung abscess to the subcutaneous emphysema beneath the pectoralis muscle. Surgical debridement of the subcutaneous abscess was performed, resulting in drainage of a large volume of purulent material. We confirmed that the lung abscess had directly extended to the chest wall, leading to a decision to perform segmentectomy of the upper division of the left lung. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Lung abscess associated with lung cancer is a rare, life-threatening complication, which may lead to significant delays in the commencement of oncological treatment and potentially worsen long-term outcomes. In the present case, surgical findings confirmed a lung abscess extending directly to the chest wall. Surgical therapy is the treatment of choice for this rare condition, providing rapid focus control. Therefore, prompt initiation of surgical therapy is essential when conservative measures prove ineffective. CONCLUSION: Lung abscesses may extend into the chest wall during differential diagnosis of infectious diseases of the chest wall. Successful treatment of this rare condition depends on prompt surgical intervention.

Radiological features of intrathoracic chronic expanding hematoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: We present a relatively rare case of intrathoracic chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) after thoracic surgery for lung cancer. CEH is often difficult to distinguish from malignant tumors because of its large size and slow progressive enlargement. In this report, we describe the radiological features of CEH in detail. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man who underwent a left upper lobectomy for lung cancer at 46 years of age presented with hemosputum. Computed tomography revealed a large mass with central low attenuation. Calcification was detected in peripheral lesions of the mass. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass with mixed low and high signal intensities. Based on the clinical course, the patient was diagnosed with an intrathoracic CEH. A left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed with the patient in the lateral position, and a mass encased in a tough capsule was resected. The postoperative histopathological findings were consistent with CEH. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: CT of intrathoracic CEH shows a lesion with heterogeneous content, a thick wall, and calcifications. However, differentiation from malignant tumors is difficult using CT alone. MRI is a good diagnostic modality for CEH and often shows a mixture of low- and high-intensity areas on T2-weighted images. In addition, the patient's medical history is important because most cases of CEH have a history of trauma or surgery. CONCLUSION: To diagnose intrathoracic CEH, it is essential to consider the patient's clinical course and MRI findings.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the trachea: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Although pleomorphic adenoma is the most common type of parotid gland tumor, its occurrence in the trachea is rare. Here, we describe a successfully resected pleomorphic adenoma of the trachea in a woman with severe respiratory failure that had been preoperatively misdiagnosed as asthma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with symptoms of worsening dyspnea and subsequent loss of consciousness. She had a history of progressively worsening wheezing and stridor over the course of 2-years and had been diagnosed with asthma. Arterial blood gas sample analysis indicated type II respiratory failure. A chest computed tomographic scan revealed a tumor in the trachea, which was almost completely obstructing the lower tracheal lumen. The tumor was located just above the carina. To alleviate airway constriction and achieve complete resection, carinal resection with reconstruction was performed. The postoperative diagnosis was pleomorphic adenoma of the trachea. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Pleomorphic adenoma is a rare tracheal tumor that may present with obstructive airway symptoms that mimic asthma. CONCLUSION: Tracheal tumors should be considered in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms that do not improve with medication.

Intrapulmonary solitary fibrous tumor coexisting with lung adenocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare tumor of mesenchymal origin and accounts for < 2% of all soft tissue masses. Although SFT has been identified in multiple anatomic locations and can grow anywhere in the body, intrapulmonary SFT are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we presented a rare case of intrapulmonary solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) coexisting with lung adenocarcinoma in a 74-year-old man. Chest computed tomography showed a well-defined nodule with punctate calcification and measuring 2.3 × 2.1 cm and two ground-grass nodules with solid component. To obtain a definitive diagnosis and achieve complete resection, surgery was performed. The postoperative diagnosis was intrapulmonary SFT coexisting with lung adenocarcinoma. After surgery, he survived for 6 months without any signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Complete resection may be the best treatment for intrapulmonary SFT. Careful follow-up of the postoperative course is important, because differentiating between benignity and malignancy is difficult by histologic findings alone.

A spontaneous reduction in tumor size of a thymic carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous regression of thymic carcinoma is extremely rare. We report a case of a resected thymic carcinoma with preoperative spontaneous regression in a 67-year-old woman. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented with low-grade fever and anterior chest pain. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a 55 × 43 mm exophytic heterogeneously enhancing mass showing some areas of necrosis. Chest CT done one day preoperatively revealed that the tumor had rapidly shrunk for one month. Surgical resection was performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis and achieve complete resection, yielding a postoperative diagnosis of thymic carcinoma. The patient survived without signs of recurrence for 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Mediastinal tumors with necrosis demonstrating spontaneous regression should include thymic carcinomas in the differential diagnosis.