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Malignant pleural mesothelioma presenting as spontaneous pneumothorax: a case series and review
Author(s) -
Alkhuja Samer,
Miller Albert,
Mastellone Anthony J.,
Markowitz Steven
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0274(200008)38:2<219::aid-ajim8>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - medicine , mesothelioma , asbestos , pneumothorax , pleural disease , pathology , respiratory disease , dermatology , surgery , lung , materials science , metallurgy
Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is thought to arise from the mesothelial cells that line the pleural cavities. Most patients initially experience the insidious onset of chest pain or shortness of breath, and it rarely presents as spontaneous pneumothorax. Case reports We report four patients who presented in this manner. Three of the patients were exposed to asbestos directly or indirectly at shipyards during World War II; the fourth was exposed as an insulator's wife. Two of our cases were not recognized to have MPM on histologic examination at first thoracotomy and remained asymptomatic for 12 and 22 months, respectively. In none of the patients described herein, was spontaneous pneumothorax the cause of death. Conclusions Since many people were exposed to asbestos during and after World War II, spontaneous pneumothorax in a patient with the possibility of such exposure should raise the suspicion of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Am. J. Ind. Med. 38:219–223, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.