Solitary fibrous tumor of pleura presenting as respiratory failure: unusual presentation of a rare tumor

Abstract

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTPs) are rare primary pleural tumors derived from sub-mesothelial mesenchymal tissue that are mostly incidentally diagnosed in asymptomatic subjects. Symptomatic SFTPs usually present with dry cough and chest pain. We report the case of a 55-year-old lady with a 9-month history of shortness of breath, right-sided chest pain, and heaviness, who presented to our institute with hypercapnic respiratory failure and later required invasive mechanical ventilation. Subsequent radiological and histopathological investigations led to the diagnosis of a benign SFTP occupying almost the entire right hemithorax. She was treated with complete surgical resection by thoracotomy resulting in immediate resumption of adequate ventilation in the postoperative period. We emphasize the importance of large pleural tumors as a rare but reversible cause of hypercapnic respiratory failure.