# Diffuse Pulmonary Meningotheliomatosis: An Exceedingly Rare Disease for a Not-So-Rare Pattern

**Authors:** Marta Monteiro de Castro, Luís Lázaro Ferreira, Agostinho Sanches, Sérgio Campainha

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.87023 · Cureus · 2025-06-30

## TL;DR

A rare lung disease called diffuse pulmonary meningotheliomatosis is often misdiagnosed but typically does not require treatment and has a good prognosis.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges and clinical features of diffuse pulmonary meningotheliomatosis in an elderly woman.

## Key findings

- DPM was confirmed in a 72-year-old woman via transbronchial biopsy and imaging.
- The patient remained stable without treatment, indicating a favorable prognosis.
- Accurate diagnosis requires correlating imaging findings with biopsy results.

## Abstract

Diffuse pulmonary meningotheliomatosis (DPM) is a rare lung disease characterized by the proliferation of meningothelial-like cells within the pulmonary interstitium. It predominantly affects middle-aged women and is often asymptomatic, although mild respiratory symptoms may occur. Chest CT typically shows diffuse and bilateral micronodules, and histology confirms meningothelial-like nodules expressing epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), CD56, and progesterone receptor. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman undergoing breast cancer staging, who was incidentally found to have bilateral pulmonary micronodules. A conventional transbronchial biopsy confirmed DPM, and a brain MRI ruled out meningioma. The patient remains stable without treatment. DPM is often misdiagnosed, with metastatic disease and granulomatous conditions as key differentials. Although biopsy aids diagnosis, correlation with imaging findings is essential. No specific treatment is required, and the prognosis is generally favorable. Further research is needed to refine diagnoses and management strategies.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** NCAM1 (neural cell adhesion molecule 1)
- **Diseases:** breast cancer (MONDO:0004989), meningioma (MONDO:0003057)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** PGR (progesterone receptor) [NCBI Gene 5241] {aka NR3C3, PR}, NCAM1 (neural cell adhesion molecule 1) [NCBI Gene 4684] {aka CD56, MSK39, NCAM}, MUC1 (mucin 1, cell surface associated) [NCBI Gene 4582] {aka ADMCKD, ADMCKD1, ADTKD2, CA 15-3, CD227, Ca15-3}
- **Diseases:** meningioma (MESH:D008579), breast cancer (MESH:D001943), metastatic disease (MESH:D000092182), lung disease (MESH:D008171), granulomatous (MESH:D013968), DPM (MESH:D008228)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12309423/full.md

## References

7 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12309423/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12309423