A large transmural thoracic lipoma easily mistaken for pulmonary malignancy

Lipomas in the thorax are very rare. Most such lesions are asymptomatic and discovered by accident on a chest radiograph. However, radiographic features are non-specific and can mimic malignancy. We describe the case of an 82-year-old woman whose history and chest radiograph suggest a malignant lung tumour. A computed tomography scan of the chest eventually determined the fatty nature of her chest lesion.