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07:51
Refined Murine Model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Published on: June 17, 2025
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis presenting as a hypermetabolic lung nodule
Jenny S Machuca1, Masooma Niazi, Gilda Diaz-Fuentes
1Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center affiliated with Albert Einstein of Medicine, NY.
Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology
|November 22, 2012
Summary
Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis, a rare lung condition, can present as a nodule. This case highlights nodular fibroelastosis with abnormal PET scan findings, mimicking malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (IPPFE) is a rare lung disease characterized by pleural and subpleural fibrotic thickening.
- It involves elastic fiber proliferation and typically affects the lung apex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first case of nodular parenchymal fibroelastosis.
- To describe its presentation with hypermetabolism on positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of an elderly male smoker with chronic obstructive airway disease.
- Chest computed tomography (CT) and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET scan.
- Surgical resection of a suspicious lung nodule.
Main Results:
- CT revealed a spiculated nodule and fibrotic changes.
- PET scan showed hypermetabolic activity in the nodule and lymph nodes.
- Histopathology confirmed fibroelastosis and reactive lymph node hyperplasia, not malignancy.
Conclusions:
- Nodular parenchymal fibroelastosis can mimic lung malignancy on imaging, including PET scans.
- This case expands the known spectrum of IPPFE presentation.
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