Image of the month: Placental transmogrification of the lung: a rare cause of cystic lung disease

Microscopic examination of the excised cystic wall fragments demonstrated fibrous and chronic inflammatory tissue with a focal nodular architecture and prominent lymphoid aggregates (Fig 2). Discussion PTL is a rare benign disease, first described in 1979.1 A recent literature review identified only...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Clinical medicine (London, England) England), 2020-11, Vol.20 (6), p.603-604
Main Authors:	Mudawi, Dalia, Touqeer, Rabia, Montero-Fernandez, Angeles, Greaves, Melanie, Margaritopoulos, George A
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Asymptomatic benign cyst Cysts Images of the Month Lung diseases Placental transmogrification Pneumothorax respiratory Thorax
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Microscopic examination of the excised cystic wall fragments demonstrated fibrous and chronic inflammatory tissue with a focal nodular architecture and prominent lymphoid aggregates (Fig 2). Discussion PTL is a rare benign disease, first described in 1979.1 A recent literature review identified only 34 cases.2 PTL has no placental properties but morphologically resembles immature placental tissue. Proposed mechanisms include lymphovascular proliferation in the setting of an emphysematous lung and congenital hamartomatous malformation.3,4 CT of the thorax typically shows bullous lesions and rarely cysts or nodules.5 Differential diagnosis includes bullous emphysema, solitary pulmonary nodules (hamartoma), intralobar pulmonary sequestration, bronchogenic cyst and cystic lung tumours.2,5 CT or magnetic resonance imaging aids physicians in distinguishing these entities from PTL, but histology is required to confirm the diagnosis.4 Surgical resection is the treatment of choice, which is usually curative and successful in improving symptoms and quality of life.
ISSN:	1470-2118 1473-4893