Giant fibromyxoma of the parietal pleura

A 23-year-old Nigerian man with a giant (8.5 kg) benign intrathoracic fibromyxoma presented in respiratory distress with what looked clinically and radiologically like a massive left-sided pleural effusion. The correct preoperative diagnosis was suggested by an almost 'dry tap' together with a solid resistance to the aspiring needle at chest aspiration. Complete removal was successfully accomplished through an extended left thoracotomy. The pathology, clinical features, and treatment of localised pleural fibromas are briefly discussed.