Bilateral mobile thoracolithiasis

J Radiol Case Rep. 2014 Sep 30;8(9):16-20. doi: 10.3941/jrcr.v8i9.1932. eCollection 2014 Sep.

Abstract

Thoracolithiasis is the presence of one or more freely mobile pleural stones (with or without calcification) in the pleural space. They occur with a reported incidence of less than 0.1% and are benign and do not require intervention. Historically, they have led to unnecessary interventions - something unlikely in the era of multidetector computed tomography (CT). Thoracolithiasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a single or multiple, mobile peripheral pulmonary nodules. Here, we review the imaging characteristics of a rare case of bilateral mobile thoracolithiasis.

Keywords: Thoracolithiasis; bilateral; pleural calcification; pleural stone; thoracic disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Calculi / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calculi / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography
  • Thoracic Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thoracic Diseases / etiology