Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Jan 3;20(3):122-123.
doi: 10.1002/jgf2.231. eCollection 2019 May.

Thoracolithiasis

Akihiko Ogushi  1 , Takashi Sugioka  1 , Masanori Nishiyama  2
Affiliations

Thoracolithiasis

Akihiko Ogushi et al. J Gen Fam Med. .

Abstract

Thoracoscopic image shows a thoracolith: its diameter was 13 mm and was soft and elastic, with a smooth surface. The core was black and was surrounded by yellow connective tissue. Given that mobility of the nodule is the key finding for the diagnosis, comparison with previous imaging studies is crucial.

Keywords: :pleural loose body; pleural stone; thoracolithiasis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have stated explicitly that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Chest radiograph showing an asymptomatic pulmonary nodule in the periphery of the right midlung (arrow head). (B) Chest CT image showing a 10‐mm nodule with a dense center located just above the major fissure. (C) Chest radiograph taken three months later showed no nodular lesion in the periphery of the right midlung, but a new pulmonary nodule in the right lower lung (arrow head). (D) CT image taken three months later showed no nodular lesion in the periphery of the right midlung, but a new 10‐mm nodule in the right middle lobe
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Thoracoscopic image showing a milky‐white egg‐shaped object in the right major fissure. (B) Photograph of a 13‐mm thoracolith showing that is soft and elastic and has a smooth surface. (C) Photograph of bisected thoracolith showing a black core surrounded by yellow connective tissue
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Suwatanapongched T, Nitiwarangkul C. Thin‐section CT findings of thoracolithiasis. Jpn J Radiol. 2017;35:350–7. - PubMed
    1. Gayer G. Thoracolithiasis‐computed tomography findings of intrapleural loose bodies. Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2017;38(6):634–40. - PubMed
    1. Kinoshita F, Saida Y, Okajima Y, et al. Thoracolithiasis: 11 cases with a calcified intrapleural loose body. J Thorac Imaging. 2010;25(1):64–7. - PubMed
    1. de Paula MC, Escuissato DL, Belém LC, et al. Focal pleural tumorlike conditions: nodules and masses beyond mesotheliomas and metastasis. Respir Med. 2015;109(10):1235–43. - PubMed
    1. Strzelczyk J, Holloway BJ, Pernicano PG, Kelly AM. Rolling stones in the pleural space: thoracoliths on CT, and a review of the literature. Clin Radiol. 2009;64(1):100–4. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources