Spontaneous torsion of the right upper lung lobe: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary torsion is usually caused by thoracic surgery or trauma. Spontaneous pulmonary torsion caused by tumor and pleural effusion is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old Asian male with a chronic cough and suspected lung or pleural tumor presented with sudden dyspnea. Computed tomography showed that the right upper lung lobe contained a large tumor in the region of S1-3; the tumor had shifted to the posterior thoracic space and rotated 90° counterclockwise, potentially impeding blood flow. The patient underwent emergency right upper lobectomy for torsion of the right upper lung lobe. He recovered uneventfully and was discharged without complications. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a rare case of spontaneous torsion of the right upper lung lobe caused by a large tumor and massive pleural effusion.