Diagnostic approach to pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Case report

A diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis is to be considered in women with pleural chylous effusion when plain chest films show diffuse interstitial changes, possibly associated with cystic-like spaces and overinflation. The CT, showing the presence of a retroperitoneal mass, can ultimately help to outline the diagnosis of this syndrome as in the personal case observed in a postmenopausal woman. A presumptive pre-surgical biopsy diagnosis can be useful for studies of hormone-receptors and may be clinically relevant.