[Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to plasma cell granuloma of the lung. Apropos of a case of favourable course under antibiotics]

A Rare Case of Plasma Cell Granuloma

Plasma cell granulomas (PCGs) or inflammatory pseudotumors are nonneoplastic lesions that consist of predominantly antibody-secreting plasma cells and innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils. Unlike in multiple myeloma, the plasma cells are polyclonal and present in a spindly fibroblast-rich stromal background. These lesions mainly occur in the lungs; however, they can arise in other organs. PCGs from the gingiva are extremely rare, and a proper diagnosis is crucial to treat these patients further. These tumors have an increased number of plasma cells that are immunoreactive with CD138 and are polyclonal for kappa and lambda light chains, confirming these proliferations' nonneoplastic nature. Surgical resection with clear margins, when possible, is the primary choice of treatment. Radiation and anti-inflammatory steroid therapy are other therapeutic approaches. Critical and careful examination by a pathologist is necessary to rule out plasma cell neoplasms. Here, we report a rare occurrence of gingival PCG in an elderly male.

[Thoracic inflammatory pseudotumors : A rare differential diagnosis]

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory pseudotumors are a rare and in the main benign tumor entity but infiltrative growth, recurrence and metastases are described. Generally, a complete resection is needed to exclude lung cancer. This study analyzed our data and experiences with this rare tumor entity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of all our patients who had been operated on between 2002 and 2016 in our institution for an inflammatory pseudotumor of the lungs. The extent of resection, morbidity, mortality and long-term results were analyzed.

RESULTS

Altogether, in this period 13 patients were operatively treated (5 women and 8 men). The median age was 52 years (range 34-74 years). A reoperation was carried out in one patient for recurrence after enucleation of the tumor in another hospital. In no case could lung cancer be excluded prior to complete resection. In total, 11 pulmonary, 1 tracheal and 1 chest wall pseudotumor could be resected by thoracotomy (9×) and thoracoscopy (3×) and 1 by ventral chest wall resection. In eight patients the resections were performed by standard resection (wedge resection or anatomic resection) and five times by extended resection. In all cases a R0 resection was achieved. Due to one case of postoperative pneumonia the morbidity and mortality rates were 7.7% and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The differential diagnosis between inflammatory pseudotumors and lung cancer cannot be definitely made preoperatively. For an exact diagnosis by the pathologist a complete histological preparation is needed. Due to infiltrative growth and recurrence, extended resection can be necessary for a R0 resection. This can be achieved with low morbidity and mortality. Important is an en bloc R0 resection, which is associated with good long-term results.