Pathological pulmonary hernia in a patient with metastatic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Pathological pulmonary hernia is a rare clinical entity which can be caused by malignancies.


METHODS
A 72-year-old female presented with a painful bulge in the left 4th intercostal space. Chest radiography and computed tomography demonstrated a left pulmonary hernia, pleural effusion and destruction of ribs.


METHODS
The hernia sac was excised and a part of the chest wall was resected with reconstruction of residual defect.


RESULTS
The patient died 2 years after the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
A multidisciplinary approach involving various medical specialists may offer patients with pathological pulmonary hernia remarkable palliation and better quality of life.
Pirjavec
Aleksandra
A
Department of Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Krevimirova 42, Rijeka, Croatia. aleksandra.pirjavec@gmail.com
Lulic
Ileana
I
Kovic
Ivor
I
Zelic
Marko
M
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006547:Hernia / Q000209:etiology*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008408:Mastectomy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary*