A unique case of pulmonary artery leiomyosarcoma.
Primary pulmonary artery leiomyosarcomas are rare, and the diagnosis is usually confused with other, more common, diseases, especially pulmonary embolism. A 52-year-old male, previously healthy, sustained a cardiac arrest. Chest CT-angiography diagnosed a "saddle embolus". Local thrombolysis was tried without any obvious success. At this point, the possibility of neoplasm was entertained. A cardiac MRI showed a nonhomogeneous mass in the proximal pulmonary artery. Successful surgery was performed, and histological examination of the resected mass was consistent with leiomyosarcoma. A follow-up cardiac MRI showed no residual mass. The dilemma associated with diagnosing pulmonary artery leiomyosarcomas will be discussed.
Akram
Kamran
K
Atlanta Medical Center, USA. dr.akram@web.de
Silverman
Mark E
ME
Voros
Szilard
S
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy