Open Thrombectomy for Acute Abdominal Aortic Occlusion Due to Tumor Embolism after Lung Resection

Arterial tumor embolization is a rare but often catastrophic complication of lung resection for malignancy. This case describes tumor embolization to the abdominal aorta in a patient with metastatic sarcoma. After partial pneumonectomy he developed acute kidney injury, bilateral lower limb ischemia and spinal cord ischemia. Computed tomography angiogram demonstrated complete occlusion of the paravisceral aorta. Perfusion was restored with open thromboembolectomies of the abdominal aorta, superior mesenteric artery and bilateral lower limbs. For perioperative lung cancer patients with acute arterial occlusion intraluminal tumor should be considered and thereby an open approach to revascularisation adopted.