World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 2022, 12, 439-443
https://www.scirp.org/journal/wjcd
ISSN Online: 2164-5337
ISSN Print: 2164-5329
DOI: 10.4236/wjcd.2022.129045 Sep. 14, 2022 439 World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases
Oval-Shaped Radiographic Opacity Mimicking a
Lung Mass
Farid Khan
1*
, Muhammad Imtiaz
1
, Keyoor Patel
1
, Owais Ahmed
2
, Rasha Aurshiya
2
,
Pranava Ganesh
2
1
UHS Heart & Vascular Institute, Wilson Medical Center, Johnson City, NY, USA
2
UHS Pulmonology & Critical Care, Wilson Medical Center, Johnson City, NY, USA
Abstract
Phantom tumor of the lung is an infrequent presentation of volume overload
in congestive heart failure. This finding is often mistaken for a lung mass that
leads to extensive workup and unnecessary treatments. A 75-year-old male
was evaluated for a right lower lobe rounded opacity. A transthoracic echo-
cardiogram showed normal left ventricular function. Biopsy of the mass was
unremarkable. Patient was managed with diuretics, and subsequent lung im-
aging revealed resolution of the opacity.
Keywords
Dyspnea, Lung Mass, Interlobar Effusion, Diuresis, Heart Failure
1. Background
Localized lung effusion is an infrequent presentation of volume overload related
to decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF). Radiographically, it may ap-
pear in the form of an opacity that resolves with CHF treatment. It has been de-
scribed as vanishing tumor, pseudotumor or phantom tumor of the lung [1]-[9].
Fluid collection in the pulmonary fissure or interlobar region may cause a
tumor-like appearance on the chest imaging hence the misnomer phantom tu-
mor. This finding is often mistaken for a lung tumor that leads to extensive
workup and unnecessary treatments. Apart from HF, other conditions including
cirrhosis, hypoalbuminemia and renal failure may also present in the form of a
mass-like effusion.
We report our experience of an interesting case of localized effusion, related
clinical details, diagnostic workup, and management.
How to cite this paper: Khan, F., Imtiaz,
M., Patel, K., Ahmed, O., Aurshiya, R. and
Ganesh, P. (2022) Oval-Shaped Radiograph-
ic Opacity Mimicking a Lung Mass. World
Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 12,
439-443.
https://doi.org/10.4236/wjcd.2022.129045
Received: July 12, 2022
Accepted: September 11, 2022
Published: September 14, 2022
Copyright © 2022 by author(s) and
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution International
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access