What question did this study set out to answer?

To draw attention to pulmonary infarction mimicking lobar pneumonia in young patients.

June 1, 2026Internal Medicine0 citationsOpen Access

Pulmonary Infarction Secondary to Prostatitis-induced Venous Thromboembolism Mimicking Lobar Pneumonia in a Young Patient: A Diagnostic Pitfall

AKAkira KawamuraFujieda Municipal General Hospital KTKazuki TanakaTokai University NKNaoki KawaguchiFujieda Municipal General Hospital

Key Points

To draw attention to pulmonary infarction mimicking lobar pneumonia in young patients.
Case report involving a 23-year-old male with prostatitis and pleuritic pain.
Contrast-enhanced CT scan was used for diagnosis.
Thoracentesis was performed to analyze bloody effusion.
Contrast-enhanced CT confirmed pulmonary thromboembolism with 'central lucencies.'
Patient recovered after anticoagulation therapy.
Bloody effusion and central lucencies were identified as critical diagnostic clues.

Abstract

Pulmonary infarction (PI) often mimics lobar pneumonia. A 23-year-old man with prostatitis presented with pleuritic pain and hemoptysis. Despite high inflammatory markers, consolidation was refractory to antibiotic treatment. Retrospectively, the initial opacities represented the hyperacute hemorrhagic phase of PI. Thoracentesis revealed bloody effusion, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) confirmed pulmonary thromboembolism with characteristic "central lucencies." Anticoagulation therapy led to his recovery. PI should be considered in young patients with refractory pneumonia. Bloody effusion and central lucencies are critical diagnostic clues. Combined localized infection and transient stressors (dehydration/immobility) can trigger venous thromboembolism, even in the absence of hereditary thrombophilia. Early CECT can prevent unnecessary invasive procedures.

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