A diagnostic helpful case of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura by cytology

Abstract

Background : Malignant mesothelioma is rare, but its incidence has been increasing in recent years. We report a case of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.
Case : A male in his sixties who presented to a local physician with a chief complaint of a back pain was found to have a pleural effusion on an X-P radiograph of the chest. He was referred to our hospital for further examination, because malignant mesothelioma was suspected based on a cytological examination of the pleural effusion. Chest X-P radiographs, CT of the chest, and thoracoscopy failed to reveal any tumor mass. Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy resulted in a final pathological diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura, epithelial type.
Conclusion : It is well known that diagnostic imaging in patients with pleural mesothelioma show pleural effusion and diffuse pleural thickening and/or masses. However, it should be kept in mind that there are occasional cases without any diagnostic radiographic or thoracoscopic findings in which the cytological findings may be the only clue to the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.