OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of 18F-FDG three-head tomography with coincidence imaging and serum tumor marker assays in identifying lung lesions in 104 patients with abnormal findings on chest X-ray or computer tomography.

METHODSA prospective evaluation of 18F-FDG coincidence imaging and the measurement of 3 serum markers for lung cancer ( carcinoembryonic antigen, CYFRA21-1 and neuron specific enolase) were performed within one week in 104 inpatients with suspected lung malignancy. All images were analyzed visually. It was considered positive for malignancy if the 18F-FDG uptake was increased relative to that in the adjacent lung tissue, and was focal. The serum tumor marker test was considered positive for malignancy if the serum level of at least one marker was elevated.

RESULTS66 patients were proven to have lung cancer by pathology, and 38 patients had benign lung diseases. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of 18F-FDG coincidence imaging and serum tumor markers in assessing lung cancers were 80. 0% , 77. 2% , 77. 9% and 56. 0% , 60. 9%, 64. 4% , respectively. 18F-FDG coincidence images in assessing lung lesions showed significantly higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than serum tumor markers. Four patients with lung cancer had negative findings on 18F-FDG coincidence images but showed positive serum markers.

CONCLUSION18F-FDG coincidence imaging is a powerful tool for evaluating patients with lung lesions suggestive of malignancy. Although the determination of serum marker levels is less accurate than 18F-FDG coincidence imaging, the combination of a positive 18F-FDG coincidence result and positive tumor markers may be helpful in improving the diagnosis of lung cancers.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; blood ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; Keratins ; blood ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary ; blood ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prospective Studies ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; blood ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is considered to be a rare, benign, neoplastic lesion, consisting mainly of spindle mesenchymal cells, sometimes in such a way that its histological appearance mimics that of a spindle cell sarcoma, fibrous histiocytoma or fibrosarcoma. A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung occurring in a 13-year-old boy is reported with pathologic findings, including its ultrastructure. The patient had had no symptoms and accidentally discovered his condition after a chest X-ray examination at a regular school physical check up. The mass was located in the suprahilar area of the left lung. Exploratory thoracotomy revealed a large mass that was removed, together with the left upper lobe of the lung. Microscopically, the mass was composed of numerous interstitial inflammatory cells, mainly lymphoplasma cells. Ultrastructurally, the spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells were arranged haphazadly and the normal pulmonary structure was nearly totally destroyed. Emphasis is given to complete resection of the tumor for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Adolescent ; Child ; Fibrosarcoma ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary* ; Sarcoma ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of protein kinase B (PKB) in human-squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of lung (ADC) and in benign lung tissues (BD, lung tissues adjacent to cancer or from patients with benign lung diseases), and its association to clinicopathological characteristics.

METHODSThe PKB expression in 41 specimens from patients with SCC (26 cases) and ADC (15 cases) and in 12 specimens from patients with benign lung diseases (BD) were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTSPKB in benign lung tissues was usually weakly stained and scattered in distribution. It was remarkably increased in lung cancer compared to benign lung tissue. The positive rates of PKB in SCC and ADC were 50% (13/26), 60% (9/15), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them. PKB expression was significantly stronger in lung cancer patients in advanced stages (stage III or IV) or with poor differentiation, than those in early stages (stage I or II) or with moderate or well differentiation. The expression was stronger in patients with local lymph node metastasis than those without (P = 0.0391).

CONCLUSIONPKB protein is over-expressed in human squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism

Inflammatory pseudotumor (plasma cell granuloma) of the lung is an uncommon nonneoplastic tumor of unknown origin. This tumor typically manifests as a solitary, peripheral, and sharply circumscribed mass. Multiple lesions are seen in about 5% of cases. Resection is recommended for both diagnosis and treatment, and this tumor does not generally recur after complete resection. Here, we report a case of recurrent inflammatory pseudotumor after complete resection; the recurrence was detected as a series of bilateral consolidated lesions with an internal air bronchogram. This is an unusual finding with regard to inflammatory pseudotumors.
Biopsy, Needle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell, Pulmonary/*diagnosis/drug therapy/surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Pneumonectomy ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor is the most common primary lung mass seen in children, but extraparenchymal involvement is relatively rare. We report here on a case of inflammatory pseudotumor involving the mediastinum and the pulmonary artery. A 48-year-old man presented with enlargement of the right hilum on a simple chest radiograph. He had a history of exertional dyspnea for 1 year. A non-homogeneous enhancing mass was noted in the right pulmonary artery on computed tomography. Mediastinotomy and pulmonary artery angiography with a forcep biopsy revealed inflammatory pseudotumor of the mediastinum and pulmonary artery.
Angiography ; Biopsy ; Child ; Dyspnea ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell* ; Humans ; Lung ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Surgical Instruments

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, also known as inflammatory fibrosarcoma, has been frequently diagnosed as inflammatory pseudotumor. Although there are six cases reported as inflammatory pseudotumors or inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in the lung, no cases of pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with features of inflammatory fibrosarcoma have been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (inflammatory fibrosarcoma)characterized by high cellularity, severe nuclear pleomorphism, necrosis, or increased mitoticcounts. A 31-year-old male patient with a solitary pulmonary nodule on the routine chest x-rayreceived a right lower lobectomy. The tumor was an ovoid solid mass with multifocal necrosis, showing diffuse irregular proliferation of spindle cells with high cellularity and focal nuclear pleomorphism, admixed with dense lymphoplasmacytic cells. Although spindle cells are focally immunoreactivefor smooth muscle actin, the ultrastructural examination failed to demonstrate smooth muscledifferentiation. In cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (inflammatory fibrosarcoma), a completeexcision and close follow-up without radical surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy are needed.
Actins ; Adult ; Drug Therapy ; Fibrosarcoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung* ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myofibroblasts* ; Necrosis ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Thorax

OBJECTIVETo compare quantitatively the enhanced thin CT section with pathologic findings in pulmonary carcinoma, pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) and pulmonary tuberculoma so as to demonstrate the relation of degree of enhancement and the vascular structure within the lesion with special emphasis on pulmonary carcinoma.

METHODSEnhanced thin CT sections were obtained in 35 cases with nodular or patchy lesions in the peripheral lung field which are difficult to differentiate clinically. There were pulmonary carcinoma 21, inflammatory pseudotumor 7 and tuberculoma 7. The number of small vessels (inner diameter 0.02 approximately 0.1 mm), relatively large vessels (inner diameter > 0.1 mm) and their vascular bed areas were analyzed by computed image analyzing system. The relation between CT average attenuation and the number of vessels or the vascular bed areas were statistically evaluated.

RESULTS1. The differences of average attenuation in carcinoma, inflammatory pseudotumor and tuberculoma were statistically significant (P < 0.05). 2. The differences in number of small vessels, relatively large vessels and vascular bed areas among these three types of lesion were also significant (P < 0.05). 3. A positive correlation was found in the average CT affenuation of lung carcinoma and its number of small vessels and relatively large vessels and 4. A positive correlation was found between the average CT attenuation in these three lesions and the relatively large vessels, total vascular amount and vascular bed areas.

CONCLUSIONS1. The average degree of attenuation, being divided into four degrees, is of practical value in the differentiation of lung carcinoma, inflammatory pseudotumor and tuberculoma. 2. The average CT attenuation of lung carcinoma, inflammatory pseudotumor and tuberculoma is in direct proportion to the number of vessels and vessel bed areas and 3. The characteristic CT enhancement in lung carcinoma reflexes the condition of vessels and blood supply within the tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Tuberculoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor is an uncommon benign lesion of the lung. In Korea, most literature of the pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor was case reports. METHODS: We collected 28 cases of pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor in Korea. This collective series included 4 cases from our hospital and 24 cases were reviewed from the literature since 1977. The analysis involved the age, sex, chief complaint, hematologic examination, size and location of the lesion, cavity formation, presence of calcification and treatment method. RESULTS: Male was more prevalent (81.5%) than female and mean age was 37.9 years old (6~63 yrs). Chief complaints were cough (44.4%), chest pain (29.6%), fever (22.2%), hemoptysis (15%), sputum (15%) and dyspnea (11.1%). There were asymptomatic cases in 11.1%. Hematologic examination revealed normal finding (53.3%) and anemia (20%). The mean size of the lesion was 4.76 cm (1.5~14 cm) and the locations were parenchymal (85.7%), endobronchial (10.7%) and endotracheal (3.6%). Except the endotracheal case, the lesions were in the right (46.4%), the left (42.8%) and bilateral (7.1%). Calcifications (18.5%) and cavitations (11.1%) were present. Diagnostic methods were open thoracotomy (82.1%), bronchoscopy (3.6%), needle aspiration biopsy (7.1%) and core needle gun biopsy (7.1%). Treatments were surgery (85.2%), steroid therapy (7.4%), rigid bronchoscopic removal (3.7%) and observation (3.7%). Postoperative recurrence occurred in only 1 case (4.3%). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor was more prevalent in the male, and patients presented with the respiratory symptoms were common. It was necessary to do surgery in most cases for diagnosis and/or treatment.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell, Pulmonary/*diagnosis/pathology/*therapy ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged

The diagnosis of peripheral T cell lymphoma is difficult due to the varying size and shape of the neoplastic lymphoid cells and the frequent admixture of nonneoplastic mature lymphyocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells. We report a case of peripheral T cell lymphoma, lymphoepithelioid cell type, which was difficult to differentiate from tuberculous lymphadenitis due to the aggregates of epithelioid histiocytes mimicking granuloma and the past history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the inguinal lymph node in a 63-year-old male was characterized by hypercellular aspirates composed of a mixture of small and intermediate-size lymphoid cells and large lymphoid cells with background of confluent epithelioid histiocytes. The neoplastic lymphocytes demonstrated significant nuclear irregularity with protrusion and indentations of the nuclear membrane, prominent nucleoli, and frequent mitotic figures. The diagnosis of peripheral T cell lymphoma was confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical studies.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Granuloma ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Nuclear Envelope ; Parotid Gland ; Plasma Cells ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is an uncommon benign neoplasm of unknown etiology presenting as an incidental mass, fever, malaise, anemia, and weight loss. Generally, IPT in the lung is asymptomatic. A case of pulmonary IPT presenting as prolonged fever in a 59 year old man is presented with clinicopathological findings. The patient had been febrile for three months before admission. Five months before admission, a chest X-ray showed a small left pulmonary mass which was regarded as old tuberculosis. An chest X-ray taken on admission revealed a left pulmonary mass two times the size of the one on the first x-ray. Percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy were performed, and the microscopic examination revealed a plasma cell reaction with myofibroblastic proliferation, consistent with IPT. As prolonged unexplained fever is a frequent symptom in patients with IPTs, this disease entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin.
Anemia ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fever of Unknown Origin* ; Fever* ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Myofibroblasts ; Needles ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary* ; Plasma Cells ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Weight Loss