Pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare entity in childhood

Abstract

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignant intrathoracic mesenchymal tumour with a variable aggressiveness. It is the most common primary malignancy in the lung during childhood. In this study, we present a case of a 3-year-old male child who complained of persistent dry cough. Radiographs suggested the diagnosis of PPB, which was been confirmed by the histo-pathological examination of a biopsy taken from the tumour under CT guidance. This case was reported to emphasise the importance of radiology, whether diagnotic or interventional, in diagnosing rare cases such as PPB.

Figure 1.

Chest X-ray showing a large, rounded homogeneous opacity in the right mid and lower zones with shifting of the mediastinum to the opposite side, mild pleural effusion (white arrow) in the right upper zone.

Figure 2.

Ultrasonography image showing a large heterogeneous echogenic mass (white star) at base of right pleura.

Figure 3.

Contrast-enhanced axial image (A) and coronal image (B) of CT chest in the mediastinal window. We notice a large well-circumscribed mass of heterogeneous attenuation in the region of the lower lobe of the right lung (white stars). Note extension of mass across midline (arrow).