Pulmonary tumor embolism presenting as infarcts on computed tomography

J Thorac Imaging. 1999 Apr;14(2):135-7. doi: 10.1097/00005382-199904000-00014.

Abstract

Pulmonary tumor embolism is a rare cause of respiratory failure in patients with cancer and is only infrequently diagnosed during life. Chest radiographs are usually normal. Dilated and beaded peripheral pulmonary arteries may be present on computed tomography scans. The authors describe an unusual case of pulmonary tumor embolism presenting on computed tomography scans as bilateral, peripheral, wedge-shaped opacities. On autopsy, these opacities corresponded to areas of pulmonary infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology