An unusual case of grass inflorescence aspiration presenting as a chest wall tumour

Pediatr Radiol. 2006 May;36(5):434-6. doi: 10.1007/s00247-005-0088-8. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

Abstract

A 9-year-old boy was referred to the Oncology Department because of a thoracic soft-tissue mass thought to be a chest wall tumour. He had a history of grass inflorescence (Hordeum murinum) aspiration 2 weeks prior to this admission. On physical examination a tender soft-tissue mass under the right scapula and diminished breath sounds from the right lower lobe were detected. Thoracic CT confirmed soft-tissue swelling of the right posterior chest wall. There was a hypodense area within the soft-tissue mass suggesting a foreign body and also focal consolidation of the right lower lobe adjacent to the soft-tissue swelling. We report here unique CT findings of grass inflorescence aspiration before and after its migration through the airways.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / etiology
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Foreign Bodies / complications
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hordeum*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thoracic Wall / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed