Pulmonary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma mimicking central lung cancer

A 40-year-old woman was hospitalized for investigation of dry cough, dyspnoea, and pain and swelling in the large joints of the arms and legs. Chest CT revealed a left hilar mass with partial atelectasis in the apical segment of the left lower lobe. X-ray of the wrists, elbows, ankles and knee joints showed a periosteal reaction, associated with hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. Endobronchial biopsy suggested a pulmonary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma. Whole left lung resection was performed and the patient died of respiratory failure 1 month postoperatively.