Open AccessInflammatory nodule mimicking a phrenic neoplasm
Author(s) -
Vannucci Jacopo,
Scarnecchia Elisa,
Del Sordo Rachele,
Cagini Lucio,
Puma Francesco
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12195
Subject(s) - medicine , diaphragmatic breathing , nodule (geology) , phrenic nerve , lesion , histopathological examination , positron emission tomography , radiology , surgery , respiratory system , pathology , anatomy , paleontology , alternative medicine , biology
Background and Aims Isolated phrenic nerve nodule is usually a primitive tumour. Surgery is diagnostic and therapeutic at the same time. We report the case of a completely serum‐negative Caucasian male with a right diaphragmatic relaxation associated to an isolated small nodule of the phrenic nerve.Methods The patient was referred to our unit complaining shortness of breath and progressive fatigue. A standard chest X ‐ray showed right diaphragmatic palsy; chest scanning revealed a nodular lesion belonging to the right phrenic nerve. Positron emission tomography was negative for glucose uptake. The preoperative diagnosis of primitive neurogenic tumour was thus supposed, and the patient treated by the lesion's surgical resection along with diaphragmatic plication.Result Histopathological examination revealed an idiopathic inflammatory nodule of the phrenic nerve.Conclusion Such condition has not previously been reported in the literature among the possible aetiology of a diaphragmatic relaxation.