Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case report
Abstract Background Acute tumour embolism to the popliteal artery resulting in limb-threatening ischemia is a rare complication of neoplastic disease. Generally, tumors embolize to the pulmonary circulation via the venous system. In this case, the originating tumor was a lung cancer of a large size...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-03769-5 |
| _version_ | 1797864613792972800 |
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| author | Syed Mohammad Asim Hussain |
| author_facet | Syed Mohammad Asim Hussain |
| author_sort | Syed Mohammad Asim Hussain |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Acute tumour embolism to the popliteal artery resulting in limb-threatening ischemia is a rare complication of neoplastic disease. Generally, tumors embolize to the pulmonary circulation via the venous system. In this case, the originating tumor was a lung cancer of a large size and advanced stage that had invaded the left atrium of the heart and disseminated in the systemic circulation. The tumor likely fragmented, resulting in showering to the right popliteal artery, superior mesenteric artery, and left renal artery, which is a unique presentation of tumor embolism. Case report We present a case of a 62-year-old Caucasian gentleman with a large left lower lobe squamous cell lung cancer that had invaded into the left atrium via the pulmonary veins. He presented with acute limb threatening ischemia. A computed tomographic angiogram revealed an occlusion of the left popliteal artery as well as embolization to the superior mesenteric artery and the right renal artery. He was started on intravenous heparin and underwent an emergency popliteal embolectomy and calf fasciotomies, which was limb saving. His fasciotomy wounds were closed after 1 week and he was discharged on anticoagulation. Conclusion This is a rare case of tumor embolism resulting in both an embolectomy and calf fasciotomies. In the light of such cases, we suggest that tumors invading the bloodstream should be considered high risk for embolization and hypothesize that prophylactic antithrombotic therapy may avoid major morbidity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:54:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-30d63af295b0403ab1bbc1401a5fb6e3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:54:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-30d63af295b0403ab1bbc1401a5fb6e32023-03-22T11:19:15ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472023-02-011711510.1186/s13256-023-03769-5Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case reportSyed Mohammad Asim Hussain0Frimley Park HospitalAbstract Background Acute tumour embolism to the popliteal artery resulting in limb-threatening ischemia is a rare complication of neoplastic disease. Generally, tumors embolize to the pulmonary circulation via the venous system. In this case, the originating tumor was a lung cancer of a large size and advanced stage that had invaded the left atrium of the heart and disseminated in the systemic circulation. The tumor likely fragmented, resulting in showering to the right popliteal artery, superior mesenteric artery, and left renal artery, which is a unique presentation of tumor embolism. Case report We present a case of a 62-year-old Caucasian gentleman with a large left lower lobe squamous cell lung cancer that had invaded into the left atrium via the pulmonary veins. He presented with acute limb threatening ischemia. A computed tomographic angiogram revealed an occlusion of the left popliteal artery as well as embolization to the superior mesenteric artery and the right renal artery. He was started on intravenous heparin and underwent an emergency popliteal embolectomy and calf fasciotomies, which was limb saving. His fasciotomy wounds were closed after 1 week and he was discharged on anticoagulation. Conclusion This is a rare case of tumor embolism resulting in both an embolectomy and calf fasciotomies. In the light of such cases, we suggest that tumors invading the bloodstream should be considered high risk for embolization and hypothesize that prophylactic antithrombotic therapy may avoid major morbidity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-03769-5Tumor embolismLung cancerLimb ischemiaEmbolizationEmbolectomyFasciotomy |
| spellingShingle | Syed Mohammad Asim Hussain Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Tumor embolism Lung cancer Limb ischemia Embolization Embolectomy Fasciotomy |
| title | Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case report |
| title_full | Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case report |
| title_short | Lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia: a case report |
| title_sort | lung cancer embolization causing acute limb ischemia a case report |
| topic | Tumor embolism Lung cancer Limb ischemia Embolization Embolectomy Fasciotomy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-03769-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT syedmohammadasimhussain lungcancerembolizationcausingacutelimbischemiaacasereport |