Primary pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma mimics pulmonary artery aneurysm with partial thrombosis: various radiologic evaluations

Eur Radiol. 2008 Aug;18(8):1653-7. doi: 10.1007/s00330-008-0922-0. Epub 2008 Mar 20.

Abstract

Primary pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is very rare, so only a few imaging features have been reported. We report one case of rapidly growing primary pulmonary MFH mimicking a partially thrombosed pulmonary artery aneurysm and its radiologic findings, including multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), conventional angiography, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography CT ([18F] FDG-PET/CT). On multi-phasic MDCT, this mass mimicked a pulmonary artery aneurysm with partial thrombosis. However, pulmonary artery aneurysm was excluded and suggested as a hypervascular parenchymal mass by subsequent conventional angiography. On [18F] FDG-PET/CT, it was a highly metabolic mass, showing a maximal standard uptake value (SUV) 12.1. Although primary pulmonary MFH is very rare and has no specific imaging findings, our experience might be helpful to differentiate a hypervascular pulmonary mass.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm / complications*
  • Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiography