Although the precise etiology is unknown, it is considered by most pathologists to represent a reparative process of an inflammatory lesion. Reactive fibroblasts predominate in a mixture of inflammatory cells including giant cells, histiocytes, lymphocytes, foreign body giant cells, histiocytes, and foam cells. It can be mistaken for a malignancy. Names applied to such lesions include fibrous histiocytoma, fibrous xanthoma, xanthogranuloma, xanthofibroma, and plasma cell granuloma.
Lesions generally show little or no growth when observed over time.
The radiological appearance is usually a well defined pulmonary nodule. Less commonly they are ill-defined. They range in sized from 0.5-36cms. Cavitation is unusual but may occur. All rights reserved.