Pneumozytom
Pulmonary pneumocytomas, previously known as pulmonary sclerosing hemangiomas (PSH), are rare benign neoplasms of the lung.
Epidemiology
Typically presents in middle age (30-50 years of age). There is a recognized female predilection.
Clinical presentation
Most patients are asymptomatic. Symptoms if present will include hemoptysis, cough, chest pain (maybe pleuritic) and breathlessness.
Pathology
It is a rare benign tumor which is microscopically characterized by four main histological components (solid, papillary, sclerotic, and hemangiomatous) in varying proportions. A thin fibrous pseudocapsule separates it from the adjacent compressed lung parenchyma.
Radiographic features
There can be significant size variability where the lesions range from 1~8 cm in diameter, although most are <3.5 cm.
Plain radiograph
- they usually tend to present as a solitary, well-defined nodular lesion (oval to rounded shadow)
- they occasionally contain areas of calcification
- may show an air-meniscus sign: crescentic radiolucency at the periphery of a lung nodule
CT
- often seen as a well defined intraparechymal nodular mass (often juxta-pleural)
- areas of calcification may be present
- may show a radiolucent zone around the lesion
- shows significant but inhomogeneous enhancement
History and etymology
It was first described by A A Leibow and D S Hubell et al. in 1956 .