Current Thoracic Surgery
2025 , Vol 10 , Issue 3
Pleural capillary hemangioma mimicking traumatic hematoma: a rare case of massive hemorrhagic effusion
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey2Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey Case Report Corresponding DOI : 10.26663/cts.2025.029 Viewed : 5 - Downloaded : 4 Pleural capillary hemangiomas are exceptionally rare vascular tumors that may present with massive pleural effusion, often mimicking traumatic hematoma or malignancy. Due to nonspecific clinical features and inconclusive imaging, diagnosis is often delayed. We present a 52-year-old woman with progressive dyspnea and left-sided pleural effusion. Imaging revealed a pleural-based lesion, but malignancy was not confirmed by cytology or bronchoscopy. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and histopathology confirmed capillary hemangioma. Surgical excision led to full recovery without recurrence. This case underscores the importance of considering benign vascular tumors in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusions. Keywords : capillary hemangioma, pleura, pleural effusion, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, differential diagnosis