[Two cases of recurrent hydropneumothorax caused by malignant pleural mesothelioma]

We reported and reviewed 8 cases including two authors' cases in the Japanese literature, the incidence of pneumothorax associated with primary pulmonary neoplasms was less than 0.05%, however, in the case of malignant pleural mesothelioma, was as high as 10.36%. Mean age of patients was 67 year-old and recurrent hydropneumothorax was characterized in the clinical course. For the elderly with hydropneumothorax, it was necessary to rule out the malignant mesothelioma based on the past history of asbestos exposure, analysis of value of hyaluronic acid in the pleural effusion and the CT scan findings revealing pleural thickening, plaques and nodules. Only two out of 8 cases, were possible to undergo curative resection. Two authors' cases had undergone pleura resection and pathological findings indicated epithelial type of malignant mesothelioma. One died in 3 years and the other has been alive for one and half year since the operation.