title: A 39-year-old man with dyspnoea, low forced expiratory volume and a large mass of the left hemithorax.
abstract: In patients with intrathoracic neoplasms, low forced expiratory volume (FEV1) can preclude surgical treatment. Here, we present a case of a giant solitary fibroma of the pleura (SFTP) successfully treated by surgical removal in spite of low FEV1. A 39-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital with dyspnoea and chest distress. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large mass in the left chest. Spirometry showed FEV1 1.4 L (39% of the expected value). Computed tomography scan-guided transcutaneous aspiration biopsy was performed on the patient, and microscopic examination of the specimen revealed spindle tumor cells with a background of abundant collagen. Complete surgical resection was accomplished. The tumor was large and encapsulated. It measured 28 cm × 20 cm × 18 cm. The definitive diagnosis obtained by histopathology after resection was benign SFTP. The patient felt no dyspnoea at discharge. Surgical treatment of SFTP should be considered even in patients with a huge tumor and with increased post-operative risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan Center Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan Center Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan Center Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Jinan Center Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Bao-Zhong
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jinan Center Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Jinan Center Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: dyspnoea; forced expiratory volume; solitary fibroma of the pleura