Radiography

Radiography

Mesothelioma most commonly found on radiographs is unilateral pleural thickening or nodular concentric plaquelike (as seen in the pictures below). Pleural effusions are common and can mask the presence of underlying pleural thickening. The tumor often extends into the cracks, which thickened and irregular in outline. A slight predominance of right side is observed, probably due to increased pleural surface. The tumor can be wrapped securely to the lungs, causing pulmonary parenchymal compression, elevation of the diaphragm, intercostal space narrowing, and mediastinal shift toward the tumor. Calcified pleural plaques are present in 20% of patients with mesothelioma and are usually associated with previous exposure to asbestos.


Man, the Image of the lung and 65 years, on the left side of chest pain, and biopsy tested for mesothelioma. On the left side pleura is thickened and lobulated, which is often observed in mesothelioma.


Chest radiograph of a patient aged 58 with mesothelioma and shortness of breath. This image shows diffuse left pleural thickening, pleural effusion and volume loss ipsilateral.

Pulmonary nodules and hilar masses usually the result of the mesothelioma tumor extension directly into the lung parenchyma and mediastinal structures, such as the lymph nodes, pericardium and heart. Mechanical deformation of the hemithorax, the masses of the chest wall, rib periosteal reaction, or destruction of the tumor chest are signs of advanced disease. However, usually unilateral, direct extension of the tumor through the mediastinum in the contralateral hemithorax occurs.

Confidence


Although the definitive diagnosis can be made on the basis of X-ray results, the new unilateral pleural thickening or effusion in a patient with a history of asbestos exposure is highly suggestive of mesothelioma.