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Peripheral intrapulmonary lipoma: a rare lung neoplasm.
1Radiology Department, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, UK.
The British Journal of Radiology
|February 28, 2004
Summary
Peripheral lung lipomas are rare tumors. This case in a woman, diagnosed via CT and prior barium enema, avoided surgery, highlighting the value of reviewing past imaging.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Intrathoracic lipomas are rare benign tumors, with peripheral lung lipomas being exceptionally uncommon.
- Previous literature describes only seven cases, all in male patients, diagnosed post-surgical excision.
Observation:
- A peripheral intrapulmonary lipoma presented as an opacity on a routine chest radiograph in a female patient.
- Computed tomography (CT) characteristics of the lesion were analyzed.
Findings:
- The CT findings, coupled with the identification of the same lesion on a barium enema film from 12 years prior, enabled a confident diagnosis.
- This diagnosis successfully avoided the need for surgical intervention.
Implications:
- This represents the first reported case of a peripheral lung lipoma in a woman.
- The case underscores the diagnostic utility of reviewing historical radiographic examinations, particularly in identifying rare lung pathologies.