J Korean Radiol Soc.  1996 Mar;34(3):387-390.

Benign Mass-like Lesions Associated with Chronic Tuberculous Empyema: CT Findings in 9 Patients

• Kim KA
• Oh YW
• Kim JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To present CT findings of benign mass-like nodular lesions associated with chronic tuberculousempyema.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the CT scans of nine patients with mass-like lesions associated with chronic tuberculous empyema, which were pathologically (operation=4, US-guided biopsy=3) or clinically (n=2) confirmed as benign lesions. Shape, number, size, presence of calcification and enhancement pattern of mass-like lesions were assessed.
RESULTS
In all patients, chest CT showed unilateral calcified pleural thickening, with mass-like nodular lesions. Fluid within the pleural cavity was observed in eight patients. CT findings of mass-like lesions were multiple and nodular (n=9). Calcification was demonstrated within the lesions in four patients. In each case, the size of the largest nodules was 1-3cm in diameter. In contrast, CTshowed mild (n=6) to moderate (n=2) enhancement compared with adjacent muscles. The pathologic results ofmass-like lesions were chronic inflammation (n=3) and necrosis (n=4).
CONCLUSION
Benign mass-like lesions associated with chronic tuberculous empyema appeared as multiple nodules varying in size from 1 to 3cm in diamter, with slight enhancement.

Keyword

pleura, CT; Tuberculosis, pulmonary

MeSH Terms

Empyema, Tuberculous*
Humans
Inflammation
Muscles
Necrosis
Pleural Cavity
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary