Ruptured giant intrathoracic lipoblastoma in a 4-month-old infant: CT and MR findings

Background. We describe a 4-month-old infant with a ruptured intrathoracic lipoblastoma arising from the parietal pleura and associated with a pleural effusion. Objective. The clinical presentation was rapidly evolving respiratory distr ess. The chest radiograph showed a large mass and a pleural effusion in the right thoracic cavity. CYT demonstrated an inhomogeneous low-attenuation m ass which was 7 cm in diameter and which showed areas of enhancement after intravenous contrast medium. MRI showed a fatty intrathoracic mass with int ratumoral streaks and whorls, which were attributed to loose fibrovascular connective tissue on pathological examination. Results. Thoracotomy and pathological examination revealed a ruptured intra thoracic lipoblastoma arising from the parietal pleura. Conclusion. The pleural effusion might have suggested rupture of the tumour .