Vanishing tumor of the lung, also known as phantom tumor, is uncommonly observed in congestive heart failure. We report a case of a vanishing tumor that rapidly disappeared and reappeared in just a few minutes due to repositioning in a patient after open-heart surgery.

Corticosteroid-induced regression of lesion contrast enhancement on imaging studies is most commonly appreciated with primary central nervous system lymphoma; however, although exceedingly rare, a limited number of primary and metastatic intracranial lesions have been reported to exhibit similar radiographic changes subsequent to corticosteroid therapy. To date, there have been six cases of glioblastoma reported to exhibit such changes. Lesion transformation on repeat imaging after the initiation of steroids represents a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians when attempting to differentiate between a diagnosis of glioblastoma and lymphoma. Stereotactic biopsy may be inadvertently postponed due to high clinical suspicion for steroid-induced cytotoxicity traditionally seen with lymphomatous cells. To highlight this radiographic conundrum, we present a rare case of corticosteroid-induced regression of glioblastoma and discuss the relevant literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to describe the molecular profile of a glioblastoma that underwent corticosteroid-induced regression.

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Gastric anisakiasis might present as a submucosal tumor-like lesion in esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Cautious search is needed when it is suspected in order to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary invasive procedures.

We report a case of vanishing tumor considered as inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) found in the liver after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) from a hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive donor. The radiological findings were similar to those of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the tumor disappeared completely within several months and was suggested to have been an IPT. IPT is known to be associated with biliary duct operation or biliary infection, and it can show various enhancement patterns in radiological studies, sometimes resembling HCC. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a liver tumor in patients with LDLT.

In heart failure localized interlober pleural effusion is rare but well-known finding. But there is not enough case reports in the literature. This radiological finding seems like a mass and undergoes resolution quickly, It is also known as vanishing tumor, pseudotumor or phantom tumor. It is difficult to estimate the incidence due to the small number of reported cases. Determination of the mass appearance in chest X-ray should be reminded the phantom tumor especially in heart failure patient. This diagnosis would prevent unnecessary expensive diagnostic procedures, wrong diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Pineal apoplexy (either hemorrhagic or ischemic) may complicate the course of a tumor at this site. This event usually is characterized by an acute clinical onset and requires emergency surgical management whereas the regression of the lesion is a much rarer outcome.
METHODS: Three cases of pineal vanishing tumors in the pediatric population are reported and the pertinent literature is reviewed.
RESULTS: In one case, radiologic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of pineal cyst, which became symptomatic after a spontaneous hemorrhage. This event may also explain its regression after the treatment of associated hydrocephalus. In the remaining 2 cases, neuroimaging examinations disclosed a solid tumor. One of them regressed after a surgical biopsy, probably because of an ischemic evolution, whereas the last one disappeared without any medical or surgical manipulation. Neither hemorrhage nor ischemia were noticed, thus the mechanism of regression remains controversial.
CONCLUSIONS: Vanishing tumors of the pineal region may occur in different circumstances, resulting from absence of any medical and surgical action to minor manipulation of the tumor to obtain a biopsy. This variety may reflect different underlying mechanisms, leading to hemorrhagic or ischemic change of the tumor and its subsequent regression, although radiological imaging may fail to document hemorrhage or ischemia.

BACKGROUND: A ghost tumor (GhT) is a space-occupying lesion with radiologic features consistent with the diagnosis of tumor that on further investigation is revealed not to be a tumor, although definitions in the literature are inconsistent, and the incidence of GhT remains undefined.
METHODS: A review of the pertinent literature was performed to identify pediatric patients in whom a misleading initial diagnosis of space-occupying lesion was described. Analysis of the differentiating features of the final diagnosis and related clinical and radiologic issues was performed.
RESULTS: GhT may be categorized as follows: GhT I, lesions spontaneously disappearing during follow-up, also known as \"vanishing tumors\"; GhT II, nonneoplastic space-occupying lesions showing a tumor appearance, also known as \"tumor-like lesions\"; GhT III, anatomic variants of normal structures mimicking a tumor, also defined as \"false tumors.\" The most deceptive conditions and critical points in the differential diagnosis of these cases were discussed.
CONCLUSIONS: GhT is an entity with significant implications in regard to treatment and outcome. In this context, the integration of clinical and radiologic clues is crucial for a careful differential diagnosis and a consistent diagnostic approach, which is necessary for adequate decision making regarding management. A thorough radiologic work-up is mandatory. Atypical radiologic images should raise a high level of suspicion, including incidental lesions, which are encountered with increasing frequency in daily practice as a result of greater access to radiologic examinations, increasing sensitivity of imaging, and the impact of defensive medicine. A wait-and-see policy should be considered whenever indicated.

Gastrointestinal involvement in cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is well documented among immunocompromised patients and is also observed in immunocompetent individuals. The presentation of this infection can sometimes mimic those of other diseases, thus making accurate diagnosis difficult. We herein report a rare case of an immunocompetent elderly adult with gastrointestinal CMV infection that presented as a vanishing tumor at the cecum. A 76-year old man initially presented with lower abdominal pain. Colonoscopy revealed a tumorous lesion with irregular ulceration observed at the ileocecal valve. Histological findings of a biopsy specimen revealed intranuclear inclusions which were positive for CMV on immunohistochemical staining. However, this tumorous lesion disappeared within 7 wk from the initial hospital visit without any further treatment. Inflammatory pseudotumors associated with CMV infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis of tumorous lesions in the colon, even in immunocompetent adults.