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Chondrosarcoma presenting as a saddle tumor pulmonary embolism
Jeffrey A Morgan1, Gaetano Paone
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart and Vascular Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. jmorgan2@hfhs.org
Journal of Cardiac Surgery
|May 17, 2013
Summary
An 18-year-old male experienced respiratory failure due to a large pulmonary embolism. Surgery revealed the embolism was metastatic chondrosarcoma, a rare cause of pulmonary artery obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- A rare case of a young male presenting with cardiorespiratory distress.
- Hip pain as an unusual initial symptom.
Observation:
- Massive saddle pulmonary embolism obstructing the pulmonary artery bifurcation and lobar branches.
- Diagnosis of metastatic chondrosarcoma confirmed post-operatively.
Findings:
- Successful emergent pulmonary embolectomy performed.
- Significant tumor burden removed from the pulmonary arteries.
Implications:
- Highlights chondrosarcoma as a potential cause of pulmonary embolism in young adults.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering metastatic disease in unexplained cardiorespiratory failure.
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