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Establishment of a Minimally Invasive Rat Model of Pulmonary Embolism Using Autologous Blood Clots
Published on: October 25, 2024
Diffuse fatal pulmonary microembolism of retroperitoneal extravascular origin
1Department of Pathology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|December 1, 1989
Summary
A rare case of fatal pulmonary microembolism occurred after a combined kidney and pancreas transplant. A liquefying hematoma with necrotic tissue led to the fatal complication in this diabetic patient.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Surgery
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- A 34-year-old woman with a 22-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and 2 years of chronic renal failure underwent combined kidney and pancreas transplantation.
- The patient experienced resolution of uremia and insulin dependence post-transplant.
Observation:
- The patient developed acute respiratory distress 22 days after surgery.
- Post-mortem examination revealed diffuse pulmonary microemboli.
- The microemboli were composed of necrotic tissue debris, fat cells, and muscle fragments.
Findings:
- The source of the pulmonary microemboli was identified as a localized, liquefying hematoma in the left retroperitoneal space.
- This hematoma contained necrotic muscle and fat tissue.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but potentially fatal complication of combined kidney and pancreas transplantation.
- It demonstrates that liquefying hematomas in confined spaces can lead to fatal pulmonary microembolism.
- Awareness of this complication is crucial for managing post-transplant patients.
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