Inflammatory pseudotumours of the lung: two cases and a review

A discrete pulmonary mass lesion has different implications in children and in adults. Although infectious, congenital and metastatic etiologies are part of the differential diagnosis, inflammatory pseudotumour of the lung, or plasma cell granuloma, has emerged as the most common entity. The authors describe two patients with this poorly understood lesion and review the current state of knowledge. Both patients were young (4 and 5 years) and had recurrent lower respiratory tract infections; one patient was asthmatic. Both had persistent cough, and discrete lung lesions were apparent radiologically. Both children were treated by thoracotomy and excision of the tumour. There were no operative complications, and the convalescent period was uncomplicated. There were no signs of recurrence at follow-up 1 and 2 years postoperatively. This lesion is almost always benign, but aggressive behaviour has been documented. The authors recommend prompt conservative surgical excision.