Acute pulmonary embolism presenting as seizures.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially fatal condition. The case is presented of a young woman who presented to the emergency department with first-time seizures. On further investigation and corroborated by post-mortem findings, this was found to be a manifestation of PE. The purpose of this report is to highlight to the clinical community that PE can present in a varied fashion and that, because of this, its diagnosis can occasionally be delayed. Vigilance is advised and expert clinical acumen is needed in young non-smoking persons with previously normal respiratory physiology who present with signs and symptoms of respiratory compromise, irrespective of the predominant or masking presentation.
Shah
A K
AK
Department of Emergency Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK. as329@hotmail.com
Darwent
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen