Cavitary pulmonary metastases: A case report

Abstract

Introduction. The lungs are one of the most common sites of metastases from carcinomas and sarcomas. Secondary pulmonary tumors are typically multiple, oval in shape and located in the lung periphery. Cavitation of metastatic pulmonary nodules is extremely rare and most often occurs in primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and the cervix. Case Report. We report the case of a 62-year-old man presenting with dysphagia for solid foods and weight loss in the last two months. The patient had a history of long-term smoking and regular alcohol consumption. A barium meal showed irregular stricture in the proximal esophagus, highly suspicious of malignancy. Computed tomography of the neck and thorax showed tumor infiltration of the cervical and proximal part of the thoracic esophagus and multiple cavitary and solid pulmonary metastases. Conclusion. High-resolution computed tomography of the chest and radiological features such as a wall nodules, irregular internal contour of the cavity and spiculated edges allow precise characterization of cavitary metastatic lesions.