Pleural Metastasis of Lung Cancer Combined with Pleuroparenchymal Fibroelastosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Pleural metastasis is the most common cause of malignant diseases involving the pleura, and characterized by pleural effusion, nodules, and thickening. Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a disease characterized by apical pleural thickening and subjacent parenchymal fibrosis. We report a case of a 60-year-old male with lung cancer in the left lower lobe and underlying PPFE combined with left apical pleural metastasis. Initially, asymmetric left apical pleural thickening due to pleural metastasis was mistaken for PPFE. Additionally, we describe the imaging and histopathological findings of PPFE, including MRI findings.

Keywords

• case report
• x ray
• computed tomography
• magnetic resonance image
• pleural neoplasm
• lung cancer