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Unusual association of diseases/symptoms
Case report
Diffuse epithelioid malignant mesothelioma of the pleura presenting as a hydropneumothorax and vertebral body invasion
  1. Colin Andrew Hinkamp1,
  2. Shanup N Dalal1,
  3. Yasmeen Butt2 and
  4. Alberto V Cabo Chan1
  1. 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
  2. 2Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Colin Andrew Hinkamp; hinkamp.colin{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon form of neoplastic transformation of the mesothelial cells that line the serosal surfaces of the body. It most commonly affects the pleura and is often associated with pleural effusions and pleural-based masses. The annual incidence in the United States is only 3300 cases, representing less than 0.3% of all cancers worldwide, although this is likely underestimated. We present a case of diffuse epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma in a patient with remote, short-term asbestos exposure complicated by recurrent left-sided hydropneumothoraces and pleural-based invasion of the T12 vertebral body, which represent two rare coexisting complications. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a broad differential for hydropneumothorax, particularly as the risk factors may be decades removed and the degree of asbestos exposure to induce a malignant mesothelioma may be smaller than has been traditionally thought.

  • lung cancer (oncology)
  • respiratory cancer
  • cancer

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2019-231987

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors CAH, the first author, participated as the primary author of the case report draft, analysis and interpretation of data, final approval of the version published and treatment of the patient. SND participated by providing major revisions to the draft as necessary, analysis and interpretation of data, final approval of the version published and treatment of the patient. YB participated by providing major revisions to the draft as necessary, analysis and interpretation of data, final approval of the version published and treatment of the patient. AVCC participated by providing revisions to the draft as necessary, analysis and interpretation of data, final approval of the version published and treatment of the patient.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.