Phantom tumour of the lung secondary to left heart failure. A case report

Considerable variation in nomenclature and of interpretation exists with regard to the term 'pseudotumour of the lung'. Interlobar encysted effusions, plasma cell tumours fibrous histiocytomas, xanthogranulomas, pseudolymphomas and recently round atelectasis of the lung have all been called 'pseudotumours'. A young man was investigated twice for an encysted interlobar effusion secondary to left heart failure. Treatment of the cardiac condition after the diagnosis of a probable 'phantom tumour' had been made led to rapid clearing of the lung fields. The literature on phantom tumour and some recently accepted ideas concerning nomenclature are reviewed.