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This is a case of a 69-year-old man with a history of asbestos exposure who presented with acute shortness of breath. His chest x-ray showed bilateral hydropneumothorax. Further investigations including CT chest and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery revealed bilateral pleural thickening and histology confirmed epithelioid mesothelioma. This case highlights the need for clinicians to be aware of atypical presentations of malignant pleural mesothelioma as well as the importance of considering underlying secondary causes such as malignancy in the older patient presenting with spontaneous pneumo/hydropneumothorax.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/bcr-2013-009350

Type

Journal article

Journal

BMJ Case Rep

Publication Date

15/05/2013

Volume

2013

Keywords

Aged, Humans, Hydropneumothorax, Lung Neoplasms, Male, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma, Malignant, Pleural Neoplasms, Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted, Tomography, X-Ray Computed