[Radiologic manifestation of primary pleural tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To show the radiological manifestations of primary pleural tumors.


METHODS
we carried out a retrospective analysis of radiological findings in 62 patients with primary malignant tumor of pleura.


RESULTS
Study included 39 male and 23 female patients. Malignant tumors were present in 92.7% of the patients and benign ones in 7.2%. The most common malignant tumor was mesothelioma (85.4%), and solitary fibrous tumor prevailed among benign tumors (9.7%). Diffuse malignant mesothelioma manifested on computed tomography (CT) as a pleural thickening and effusion in 67.4% of the patients, tumors and effusion in 11.7%, and only as an effusion in 9.8% cases. Thickening of the pleura appeared diffuse in 54% of patients and most often it had nodular pattern. Both localized malignant and all benign tumors presented as tumor-like changes with the signs of necrosis in 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
The imaging methods have a key role in the diagnosis of pleural tumors. CT shows different morphologic features of pleural lesions that have been established as a useful tool for differentiating malignant from benign disease. However, magnetic resonance is preferred imaging method for assessing the extent and resectability of pleural tumors.
Stević
R
R
Medicinski fakultet u Beogradu.
Jovanović
D
D
Mandarić
M
M
Pesut
D
D
Masulović
D
D
Stosić-Opinćal
T
T
Adzić
T
T
Vasić
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed