[en] Pleural mesothelioma is an uncommon tumor compared with other thoracic malignancies and a 80% of the cases have asbestos exposure. From 1983 to 1992 we have examined patients suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma treated with external radiotherapy. We treated 11 patients of which 9 were males and 2 were females. The most frequent symptom was the chest pain and all these patients underwent a torascoscopy followed by a pleasured. Of the 11 cases: 10 were malignant epithelial mesothelioma and 1 was a mixed pleural case. Afterwards, they were treated with external radiotherapy between 30 and 55 Gy, with few complications. At the moment, 5 patients are still alive and there is a survival rate of 50% at 24 and 60 months and of 25% at 120 months. We think that external radiotherapy is a good palliative treatment with few complications. (Author) 28 refs

[en] Pleural effusion is a frequent medical problem with a wide span of different causes. We wish to highlight the clinical management of the patient with pleural effusions but anatomic, physiologic and diagnostic management of the main pleural diseases will also be considered

[en] We present a case of low-grade cystic mesothelioma, localized in pleura, having peculiar radiological signs that different from those commonly reported. Both in ultrasound and in computerized tomography (CT), it presented as a polylobate cystic mass containing septations. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was of no use for diagnosis, which was determined by means of surgery and pathological study. (Author) 7 refs

[en] Computed axial tomography (CAT scan) is very useful characterizing fat lesion. We present two cases of pleural lipomas that had been diagnosed by Cat scan

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No abstract available

[en] We performed this study to evaluate the clinical significance and temporal changes of pleural effusion developed after the resection of hepatoma. We reviewed retrospectively follow-up chest radiographs of 97 patients who had undergone operation for hepatoma and had no radiologically demonstrable postoperative complications. The duration of pleural effusion was classified into five groups and the amount of pleural effusion at one week after operation was graded into four groups. Statistical significance of the relationship between the duration, amount of pleural effusion and five factors, which are location and size of tumor, age of the patients, methods of operation, and preoperative liver function, was studied respectively. Pleural effusion was developed in 63.9% (62/97) and the mean duration was 2.5 weeks. In 92% (52/56), pleural effusion disappeared spontaneously within four weeks. Patients who had hepatoma in upper portion of the right lobe developed more frequent pleural effusion which persisted longer, and was larger in amount at one week after operation(p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between pleural effusion and the other four factors. Pleural effusion following hepatoma surgery should not be regarded as a sign of post-operative complication, as it invariably disappears spontaneously within four weeks. Development of pleural effusion is considered to be caused by local irritation and disturbance of lymphatic flow at the diaphragm

[en] To evaluate the computed tomography (CT) findings in a series of 100 pleural metastasis effusions. A retrospective study was carried out that consisted of assessing the CT images of 100 malignant pleural metastasis effusions, evaluating the amount of the effusion, its distribution, the presence of swelling or nodules in the different pleural surfaces, the existence and the characteristics of the extrapleural fat and the changes in other locations different to the pleural cavity, mainly the mediastinum and the pulmonary parenchyma. The effusion was located in 12 patients. The amount of the effusion was slight in 14% and massive in 10% of the sick patients. Pleural nodules were detected in 19% of the studies, in all those that affected the costal parental pleura, being less frequent in the other pleural surfaces. The costal parental pleura was swollen in 43% of the sick patients. 52 sick patients did not have any swelling nor pleural nodules, with the pleural effusion being the only sign of pleural metastasis. Changes in the rest of the thorax were frequent in relation to the malignant illness that causes the effusion and appeared in 67% of the sick patients. The patients with pleural effusions of malignant etiology showed variable CT findings, that in general were non-specific, and in almost half the cases no pleural changes can be seen apart from the effusion. (Author) 13 refs

[en] The authors set out a concise review of the issue of malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment with pleural carcinosis in the case of unsatisfactory results brought by the systematic treatment using maximum cytoreduction with subsequent intrapleural perioperative hyperthermic lavage of thoracic cavity (cytoreductive surgery combined with intraoperative hyperthermic intrathoracalis chemotherapy – HITHOC). They point out the advantages of multimodal cure of the malignant pleural mesothelioma, which has proven the best results so far in the treatment of this malignant disease. Moreover, they represent the very first experience performing HITHOC in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. (author)

[en] Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a well-known tumor composed of spindle cells found most commonly in the pleura. Recently, accounts of their rare occurrence at other sites, including the head and neck area, have been reported. The parapharyngeal space is a rare location even for head and neck SFTs, and thus, could be confused with a variety of other tumors that can originate in this area. Here, we report a case of SFT originating from the post-styloid parapharyngeal space and discuss the possible differential diagnosis on radiographic findings