title: A massive pleural-based desmoid tumour.
abstract: A 49-year-old Pakistani male presented with "heaviness" in his chest. Chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) confirmed a massive left-sided pleural-based opacity. Three years ago, he was investigated for a left-sided lymphocytic, exudative pleural effusion following an episode of dengue fever. Tube thoracostomy removed 1.3 L of fluid. Pleural biopsy and bronchial washings were non-contributory. He received empirical anti-tuberculosis treatment and remained asymptomatic until this presentation. To investigate the new pleural mass, he underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, which revealed a 2.2 kg mass in the pleural cavity involving the anterior mediastinum and chest wall and adhered to the visceral pleura. Following conversion to an open thoracotomy, the mass was completely excised, which involved non-anatomical lung resection. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the resected tumour were consistent for a desmoid tumour. He was followed up for 9 months with no evidence of tumour recurrence. Predominantly pleural-based desmoid tumour is rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis of spindle cell tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology Shaikh Zayed Hospital, FPGMI Lahore Pakistan.
authors.forename: Talha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology Shaikh Zayed Hospital, FPGMI Lahore Pakistan.
authors.forename: Guness
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mal
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery Combined Military Hospital Lahore Pakistan.
authors.forename: Farhan Ahmed
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Pathology Path West Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre Perth Australia.
authors.forename: Siaw Ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Pleural Medicine Unit Institute for Respiratory Health Perth Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Perth Australia; School of Medicine and Pharmacology University of Western Australia Perth Australia.
authors.forename: Y C Gary
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Desmoid; effusion; mesothelial; pleura