2002 Volume 16 Issue 7 Pages 808-812
A case of juvenile malignant pleural mesothelioma detected by pneumothorax is presented.
A 29-year-old male was hospitalized in October 2001, after detection of left pneumothorax during a medical checkup.rLeft pneumothorax had also been detected during a medical check up in October 2000, but during a follow-up consultation at this hospital, chest X ray did not demonstrate pneumothorax. The chest X ray showed slight left pneumothorax and chest CT showed left pneumothorax along with a small nodular shadow, but not a bullous lesion.
Thoracoscopic surgery was performed on the left pneumothorax on November 9. A tumor was demonstrated in the visceral pleura of the left lower lobe and the visceral pleura near the hilum of the left upper lobe. Numerous small nodules, measuring 1 to 2 mm in diameter were diffusely scattered over the visceral, parietal and diaphragmatic pleura
Malignant pleural mesothelioma was suspected on frozen section, tumors in the upper lobe and lower lobe were excised for pathological examination andthe surgery was completed.
On postoperative permanent pathological finding, malignant pleural mesothelioma was diagnosed. Mediastinoscopy and right thoracoscopy were performed for staging, and the case was diagnosed as clinical stage lb (based on IMMG).
Left extrapleural pneumonectomy was performed on the malignant pleural mesothelioma on December 5. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed.
