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Minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules: clinicopathologic analysis of 121 patients

Eiki Mizutani1, Koji Tsuta, Akiko M Maeshima

  • 1Clinical Laboratory Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; Thoracic Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.

Human Pathology
|January 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules (MPMNs) are more common in women and patients with lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma. This study clarifies their prevalence and associations in a large patient cohort.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Pathology
  • Thoracic Radiology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules (MPMNs) are incidental findings in lung resections.
  • Their clinical and pathological background is not well-established due to limited large-scale studies.
  • Advancements in CT imaging allow for occasional detection of MPMNs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of MPMNs.
  • To determine the incidence and prevalence of MPMNs in a large cohort.
  • To explore associations between MPMNs and patient demographics or pulmonary conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Pathologic examination of 1724 pulmonary resections over 4.5 years.
  • Identification and quantification of 271 MPMNs in 121 patients.
  • Statistical analysis of MPMN incidence based on sex, lobe, age, and tumor status.

Main Results:

  • MPMNs were identified in 7.0% of patients.
  • Higher incidence observed in females (10.7%) versus males (4.5%).
  • MPMNs were more frequent in patients with malignant tumors (7.3%), especially lung adenocarcinoma (9.4%), compared to benign disease.

Conclusions:

  • MPMNs are more prevalent in females and patients with lung adenocarcinoma.
  • Findings contribute to understanding the clinicopathologic profile of MPMNs.
  • Further research may elucidate the specific role and significance of MPMNs.

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