Round pneumonia: a rare condition mimicking bronchogenic carcinoma. Case report and review of the literature

• Published in: São Paulo medical journal Vol. 126; no. 4; pp. 236 - 238
• Main Authors: Camargo, José Jesus de Peixoto, Camargo, Spencer Marcantonio, Machuca, Tiago Noguchi, Perin, Fabíola Adélia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Associação Paulista de Medicina - APM 01.07.2008; Associação Paulista de Medicina
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Bronchogenic - diagnostic imaging; Case Report; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung; Lung diseases; Lung neoplasm; Lung Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Medical imaging; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Pneumonia - diagnostic imaging; Radiography; Pneumopatias; Pneumonia; Neoplasias pulmonares; Medical imaging; Pulmão; Lung neoplasm; Lung diseases; Lung; Diagnóstico por imagem
• ISSN: 1516-3180; 1806-9460; 1806-9460; 1516-3180
• DOI: 10.1590/S1516-31802008000400010

Round pneumonia is a condition usually described in children, with few reports addressing adult patients. It is an oval-shaped consolidation that, due to its radiological appearance, simulates bronchogenic carcinoma. Its evolution tends to be benign, although diagnostic dilemmas have sometimes required exploratory thoracotomy. Deaths caused by this condition have even been reported. To the best of our knowledge, there have been 31 previous cases of round pneumonia in adults reported in the English and Portuguese-language literature, of which only one was completely asymptomatic. The case of a 54-year-old female patient presenting a lung mass found on routine imaging evaluation is reported. Respiratory symptoms and signs were absent, but the patient had a significant history of smoking. Her physical examination gave normal results. On chest radiographs, a mass located in the middle third of the right lung was observed. Three weeks after the initial evaluation, the patient was admitted for a complete evaluation and for staging of a pulmonary malignancy, but repeated chest radiographs showed complete resolution.