Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Intrapleural thoracolithiasis: a rare intrathoracic pearl-like lesion
C Bolca1, S Trahan, E Frechette
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec, Quebec, Canada. bolcaciprian@gmail.com
Abstract:
Pleural stone or thoracolithiasis is a very rare condition with only 16 cases treated by surgery reported in the literature. We report the case of a 66-year-old patient in whom the pleural stone was thought to be a posterior mediastinal tumor. Exploratory thoracoscopy revealed a 1.5-cm "pearl"-like lesion in the pleural cavity that was easily removed, with an uncomplicated postoperative outcome. As thoracic surgeons, we have to consider this condition in the differential diagnosis of a pleural, lung or mediastinal nodule.
Related Concept Videos
Pleura of the Lungs
Pleural Disorders: Types and Brief Description
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology