Inflammatory nodule mimicking a phrenic neoplasm.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Isolated phrenic nerve nodule is usually a primitive tumour. Surgery is diagnostic and therapeutic at the same time. We report the case of a completely serum-negative Caucasian male with a right diaphragmatic relaxation associated to an isolated small nodule of the phrenic nerve.

METHODS

The patient was referred to our unit complaining shortness of breath and progressive fatigue. A standard chest X-ray showed right diaphragmatic palsy; chest scanning revealed a nodular lesion belonging to the right phrenic nerve. Positron emission tomography was negative for glucose uptake. The preoperative diagnosis of primitive neurogenic tumour was thus supposed, and the patient treated by the lesion's surgical resection along with diaphragmatic plication.

RESULT: Histopathological examination revealed an idiopathic inflammatory nodule of the phrenic nerve.

CONCLUSION

Such condition has not previously been reported in the literature among the possible aetiology of a diaphragmatic relaxation.