Cytomegalovirus infection masquerading as carcinoma in a lung transplant patient

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2005 Jan;129(1):e1-3. doi: 10.5858/2005-129-e1-CIMACI.

Abstract

In lung transplant patients, most infections produce radiographically diffuse or lobar infiltrates. Solitary nodules suggesting neoplasm may arise in lung transplant patients with lung infections. We describe a 45-year-old woman who underwent bilateral lung transplantation to treat bilateral bronchiectasis and lung fibrosis resulting from Hodgkin disease. Five months later, a solitary mass was identified on chest radiograph in the left upper lobe and left superior mediastinum. Low-power examination of wedge biopsies of the mass showed a florid proliferation of cells with clear to bubbly to eosinophilic cytoplasm and moderate nuclear atypia, proliferating fibroblasts, and necrosis, suggesting a clear cell carcinoma (possibly metastatic renal cell carcinoma). Intranuclear inclusions compatible with cytomegalovirus were identified on high-power examination and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In lung transplant patients, a cytomegalovirus infection may mimic malignancy both radiographically and on initial histopathologic examination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged