On CT chest, which finding is commonly associated with mesothelioma?

On CT chest, which finding is commonly associated with mesothelioma?

• A. Pleural thickening
• B. Ground-glass opacity in the lung
• C. Isolated lobar consolidation
• D. Normal CT

Answer: (A)

Mesothelioma originates from the pleura, so CT findings are centered on pleural disease. The hallmark is irregular, diffuse pleural thickening that can encase the lung, often accompanied by a pleural effusion and sometimes nodular pleural involvement. This reflects tumor growth along the pleural surfaces and is more specific to mesothelioma than intraparenchymal changes. Ground-glass opacity represents parenchymal pathology such as edema or infection and is not typical for mesothelioma. Isolated lobar consolidation points to pneumonia or obstruction rather than a primary pleural malignancy. A normal CT would not explain mesothelioma, especially when pleural thickening is present. Therefore, pleural thickening is the finding most commonly associated with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma originates from the pleura, so CT findings are centered on pleural disease. The hallmark is irregular, diffuse pleural thickening that can encase the lung, often accompanied by a pleural effusion and sometimes nodular pleural involvement. This reflects tumor growth along the pleural surfaces and is more specific to mesothelioma than intraparenchymal changes. Ground-glass opacity represents parenchymal pathology such as edema or infection and is not typical for mesothelioma. Isolated lobar consolidation points to pneumonia or obstruction rather than a primary pleural malignancy. A normal CT would not explain mesothelioma, especially when pleural thickening is present. Therefore, pleural thickening is the finding most commonly associated with mesothelioma.