Localized benign fibrous mesothelioma mimicking a malignant tumor of the pleura.

A case of benign fibrous pleural mesothelioma is reported. Imaging studies as well as clinical features suggested malignant pleural mesothelioma. The lesion was judged resectable and no metastases were found. At surgery it was found to be a benign pleural fibrous mesothelioma. Because of the considerable overlap of imaging characteristics between the two entities, the authors conclude that determination of resectability rather than differentiation between benign and malignant mesothelioma should be the primary goal to be achieved by imaging techniques.