COEXISTENCE OF PLASMA-CELL GRANULOMAS OF LUNG AND CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM - A CASE-REPORT

A rave case of concurrent plasma cell granulomas (PCG) of the lung and the central nervous system (CNS) is reported. A 30-year-old man was p resented with recurrent left headaches lasting for two years. Computer ized tomographic (CT) scan and mag netic resonance imaging (MRI) of th e head disclosed a process extending from the lateral aspect of the le ft cavernous sinus to the tentorium cerebelli and the infratemporal fo ssa through the foramen ovale. At the same time, chest-X ray and CT sc an showed three symptomless masses of the pulmonary right lower lobe. Histological examination of cerebral samples and of one of the pulmona ry nodules revealed the presence of a fibrous tissue containing numero us lymphocytes and plasma cells as well as remnants of vascular and re spiratory structures. Immunohistochemical study proved these cells to be polyclonal. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the presence of lymp hoid cells and failed to disclose any argument for meningioma or histi ocytosis X. The differential diagnostic problems of PCG are discussed as well as considerations about clinicopathological features, histogen esis and pathogenesis of inflammatory pseudotumours (IPT).