Difficulties in establishing a timely diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma misdiagnosed as chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary disease: a case report
2009

Misdiagnosis of Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma as Chronic Thrombo-Embolic Disease

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Djordjevic Ivanka, Pejcic Tatjana, Rancic Milan, Radovic Milan, Bosnjakovic Petar, Radjenovic-Petkovic Tatjana, Nastasijevic-Borovac Desa, Golubovic Slavica, Dacic Dragana

Primary Institution: The Clinical Center Nis, Clinic for lung diseases, Department for non specific lung diseases

Conclusion

Pulmonary artery sarcoma can be easily misdiagnosed as chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary disease due to similar symptoms and imaging findings, leading to poor survival outcomes if diagnosed late.

Supporting Evidence

  • Pulmonary artery sarcomas are often confused with chronic thrombo-embolic disease due to similar clinical presentations.
  • The patient initially received anticoagulation therapy but did not improve, which is a red flag for misdiagnosis.
  • Imaging studies showed features that were misinterpreted as pulmonary embolism.
  • Late diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma typically results in poor survival outcomes.

Takeaway

This study shows that a rare tumor called pulmonary artery sarcoma can look like a common blood clot problem, which can make it hard for doctors to figure out what's really wrong.

Methodology

Case report detailing the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and outcomes of a patient misdiagnosed with chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary disease.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

A 50-year-old man.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1752-1947-3-64

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