ABSTRACT
Objective To study the clinical and imaging features of chronic tuberculous pyothorax associated with malignant tumors.Methods Imaging features of three cases of chronic tuberculous pyothorax associated with malignant tumors proved by pathology were analyzed with literatures reviewed.Results On chest radiograph and CT,thickening and calcification of the parietal and visceral pleura,soft tissue masses in the lung field adjacent to the empyema were showed.The soft tissue masses were connected with the wall of empyema,the density was homogeneous(one case) or heterogeneous(2 cases).At the location which masses connected with the empyema,the calcifications were removal,decreased or discontinuous.Conclusion The imaging features of chronic tuberculous pyothorax associated with malignant tumors are of some characteristics,especially the appearances of calcification,soft mass and haziness of fat plane are more valuable for diagnosis.