Case 43161

Abstract

Presentation of CaseA sixty-six-year-old, Albanian-born, retired painter was admitted to the hospital because of abnormal x-ray films of the chest.Four years previously he entered another hospital because of dyspnea and a chronic cough. X-ray films of the chest demonstrated dense, pleural thickening at both pulmonary apexes; diffuse prominence of the intrapulmonary markings in each mid-lung field; heavy, irregular, mottled pleural calcification, especially at the right base laterally and anteriorly; and recent fractures of the left sixth, seventh and eighth ribs in the posterior axillary line. Two years before admission three sputum smears were negative for acid-fast bacilli, and . . .