Thoracic computed tomography findings in malignant mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an uncommon neoplasm. MPM occurs more frequently in patients born or living in certain villages of Turkey.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to review radiological findings of MPM.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We reviewed the CT findings in 219 biopsy-proven MPM patients admitted to our clinic between 1993 and 2008.

RESULTS

The most common CT findings included pleural thickening (n=197, 90%) classified as diffuse (n=138, 63%), nodular (n=49, 22%) and mass-type (n=16, 7%). Pleural effusion was found in 173 patients (79%), involvement of the interlobar fissures in 159 (73%), mediastinal pleural involvement in 170 (78%), volume contraction in 142 (65%), mediastinal shift in 102 (47%) and mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 54 (25%).

CONCLUSION

MPM may present with diverse radiological features. Pleural thickening and pleural effusion were the most frequent radiological findings. Thoracic CT scans might be assessed more cautiously in patients with environmental exposure to asbestos.