A Surgical Case of Pyothorax-Associated Lymphoma of T-Cell Origin Arising From the Chest Wall in Chronic Empyema

We report a surgical a case of pyothorax-associated lymphoma of T-cell origin arising from the chest wall and developing on pleural sequelae of therapeutic pneumothorax for pulmonary tuberculosis. The tumor was removed with resection of the fifth to eighth ribs. The chest wall defect repaired with a Marlex (Phillips Sumika Polypropylene Co, Houston, TX) prothesis. The histologic, immunohistochemical, and genotypic features were conclusive for a diagnosis of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The patient received postoperative chemotherapy and is doing well after 15 months. © 2009 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.