A case of pleural lipoma evaluated with multi-imaging methods

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Pleural lipomas are rare benign tumors requiring accurate diagnosis to distinguish from malignant pleural masses.
• Conventional imaging modalities (ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MRI) may not always provide definitive differentiation.
• Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) is a functional MRI technique that assesses water molecule diffusion, offering potential for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Observation:

• A rare case of pleural lipoma was investigated using a comprehensive imaging approach, including conventional MRI and DWI.
• The DWI sequence was specifically evaluated for its contribution to the differential diagnosis of the pleural lesion.
• The study observed the signal characteristics of the lesion and any associated nodules on DWI and ADC maps.

Findings:

• DWI demonstrated an absence of restricted diffusion signal within the pleural lipoma and any associated nodules.
• The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map revealed a mean ADC value of 0.38 × 10⁻³ mm²/s, indicative of a benign lesion.
• The DWI/ADC sequence provided crucial information, confirming the benign nature of the lipoma and aiding in correct diagnosis.

Implications:

• The findings suggest that DWI MRI is a valuable tool for the differential diagnosis of pleural masses.
• Including DWI in MRI protocols for pleural lesions can enhance diagnostic confidence and potentially avoid unnecessary aggressive treatments.
• This technique offers added value in characterizing pleural masses, distinguishing benign from potentially malignant conditions.