Extrapleural fat

Extrapleural fat or epipleural lipomatosis is a benign condition and refers to relative diffuse deposition of fat outside the parietal pleura. It can occur in various locations but typically occurs along the chest wall. It is a component of the loose connective tissue of the endothoracic fascia and is most abundant along the posterolateral aspects of the 4 through to 8 ribs bilaterally. On plain film, the resulting soft-tissue shadow that is produced can be confused with pleural thickening or pleural plaques.

The displacement of the extrapleural fat by extrapleural masses is used as extrapleural fat sign.

Siehe auch:

• pleurale Lipome
• Pleuraplaques
• benigne pleurale Tumoren
• Tumoren der Pleura
• extrapleurales Hämatom
• Pleuraverdickung
• extrapleurales Fettzeichen