title: Computed tomographic assessment of patients following radical surgery for malignant mesothelioma.
abstract: Serial computed tomographic (CT) scans of the thorax and upper abdomen were performed in eight patients following radical surgery (pleuro-pneumonectomy) for diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. The post-operative appearances included a well defined membrane lining the pleuro-pneumonectomy space in seven cases; in two cases this resembled the original tumour. In six patients there was upward abdominal visceral displacement on the side of the surgery due to diaphragmatic resection; this resulted in contralateral mediastinal shift in four patients. One patient required a diaphragmatic prosthesis which produced a distinctive CT appearance. CT suggested recurrent mesothelioma in five cases. Although two patients had evidence of intrathoracic recurrence, in three patients the only feature was the non-specific finding of abdominal ascites. The normal CT appearances after pleuro-pneumonectomy should be recognized to facilitate radiological interpretation. With careful application CT is of value for the assessment of recurrent disease in patients following radical surgery for malignant mesothelioma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Llandough Hospital, Penarth, South Glamorgan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Butchart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed