Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura as a Cause of Type II Respiratory Failure

Abstract

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura is a rare type of tumor originating from the mesenchyma of the pleura. It is traditionally a benign lesion. However, in some cases malignant features have been observed. The majority of solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are noticed by accident on chest X-ray, while the main symptoms include cough, thoracic pain and dyspnea. When growing within the thoracic cavity, these tumors exert pressure on vital adjacent tissues and large vessels. In addition, these tumors can be accompanied with paraneoplastic syndromes that are completely resolved after tumor resection. Respiratory failure is a rare complication of this tumors, which is reported in a handful of cases. Herein, we report a rare case of a benign solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura in a 75-year-old woman complicated with type II respiratory failure.

FIGURE 1.

Chest X-ray showing a large mass lesion in the right lung that shifts the mediastinum to the opposite site

FIGURE 2.

Chest computed tomography (CT) showing a large lesion at the anterior and apical-posterior segment of the right upper lobe, extended from the right hilum to the lung periphery, small pleural effusion and atelectasis of the affected lung segments

FIGURE 3.

Complete obstruction of the apical segmental bronchus and about 80% obstruction of the posterior segmental bronchus of the right upper lobe observed during bronchoscopy