Pleural thickening in a construction worker: it is not always mesothelioma.
We describe the case of a 45-year-old man presenting with chest pain and pleural effusions. These symptoms were progressive over a period of three years, with pericardial involvement and respiratory insufficiency finally resulting in death. Despite repeated diagnostic procedures, a final diagnosis could only be made at autopsy. Multisystem foamy histiocyte infiltration suggested the diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease.
Saboerali
M D
MD
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Koolen
M G J
MG
Noorduyn
L A
LA
van Delden
O M
OM
Bogaard
H J
HJ
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D031249:Erdheim-Chester Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed