Pulmonary infarct cytologically mimicking adenocarcinoma of the lung

We describe a patient who underwent a right lower lobectomy for a lung lesion with a preoperative diagnosis of adenocarcinoma made on sputum cytology. Pathologic assessment of the resected specimen revealed a pulmonary infarct with no evidence of malignancy. All thoracic surgeons should be aware of this diagnostic pitfall. A positive sputum specimen should not always be regarded as definitive evidence of malignancy. Instead a full assessment of all available information should be made if unnecessary surgery is to be avoided.