Question

multiple choice question required
on chest radiograph, a pleural lipoma typically appears as:
please select your answer...
a an irregular cavitary lesion with air - fluid levels
b a diffuse pleural thickening with calcification
c a well - circumscribed, smooth extrapleural mass with obtuse margins against the chest wall
d a lobulated mass with spiculated margins

Explanation:

A pleural lipoma is a benign tumor. On chest radiograph, it is typically a well - circumscribed, smooth mass. Option A (irregular cavitary lesion with air - fluid levels) is more characteristic of abscesses or some cavitary lung cancers. Option B (diffuse pleural thickening with calcification) is seen in conditions like asbestos - related pleural disease or old hemothorax. Option D (lobulated mass with spiculated margins) is more suggestive of malignant tumors. A pleural lipoma, being a benign, fatty tumor, has a smooth, well - defined appearance against the chest wall.

Answer:

C. A well - circumscribed, smooth extrapleural mass with obtuse margins against the chest wall