Intrapulmonary lymph nodes in the differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules: case report and review of the literature.
A 49-year-old man was admitted for further investigation of a coin lesion with a diameter of 1 cm. He was a heavy smoker with no professional exposure. Since the percutaneous needle biopsy did not yield a definitive diagnosis, a thoracoscopy was performed. The solitary pulmonary nodule was found to be an intrapulmonary lymph node with anthracosilicotic pigment and a thoracoscopic wedge resection was performed. A review of the case reports in the period 1961-1993 shows that intrapulmonary lymph nodes could be more frequent than originally thought. All patients were smokers but professional exposure was not a constant finding. The differential diagnosis and management of the indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodule are discussed.
Hendriks
J
J
Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Van Schil
P
P
Corthouts
B
B
Van Meerbeeck
J
J
Ramael
M
M
Vanmaele
R
R
Van Marck
E
E
Eyskens
E
E
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed