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Case 10

Carcinoma of the breast with talc pleurodesis

Middle aged lady with breathlessness

What abnormalities are shown on this CT image, what is the diagnosis, and what treatment has she had in the past?

Findings

Right mastectomy
Irregular pleural thickening
High attenuation thickening over the right atrium

Diagnosis

Carcinoma of the breast.
Pleural metastases with recurrent pleural effusions.
Talc pleurodesis.

Discussion

Recurrent pleural effusions can be treated by pleurodesis in an attempt to obliterate the pleural space. Various substances have been used to incite an inflammatory response in the pleural space, including talc. This is of sufficiently high atomic number to be visible on CT months or years later.

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