Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia mimicking metastases in a patient with gastric carcinoma

J Formos Med Assoc. 2002 Oct;101(10):722-5.

Abstract

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is associated with arteriovenous malformation in multiple organs. The association of HHT with primary malignancy has rarely been reported. We describe the case of a 68-year-old man with gastric carcinoma who presented with abdominal fullness and cramping pain. Radiographic examination showed multiple pulmonary nodules and an osteolytic cervical spine lesion. The initial diagnosis of gastric cancer with multiple metastases was revised after meticulous imaging studies revealed these lesions to be vascular malformations in the lungs and vertebra. This case demonstrates that HHT may coexist with a primary malignancy and mimic multiple metastases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / complications*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / diagnosis*