Key result
A 43-year-old male with pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma mimicking pulmonary embolism was successfully treated with right pneumonectomy and chemotherapy, with no disease recurrence on surveillance.
Why the study?
Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma is a rare, highly malignant neoplasm presenting similarly to pulmonary embolism, with limited data on its heterogeneous presentation, epidemiology, and treatment.
Case Report (n=1)
Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma is a rare malignancy that can mimic pulmonary embolism, highlighting the need for careful follow-up and tissue diagnosis in atypical presentations.
PAIS should remain in the differential for atypical PE or pneumonia; this case extends sparse reports but leaves optimal management open.
Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma (PAIS) is a rare and highly malignant neoplasm that presents similarly to pulmonary embolism. Due to the rarity of presentation and high mortality, there is limited data on its heterogeneous presentation, epidemiology, and treatment. We present a case of pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma mimicking features of pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. Our patient was a 43-year-old non-smoker male with no past medical history who presented with a cough with hemoptysis. Initial CT imaging showed acute right pulmonary embolism with right lung pulmonary infarct. The patient was treated with anticoagulation. On follow-up, he continued to complain of hemoptysis. Repeat CT lung now showed a moderate-sized right hilar mass. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the hilar mass with bronchial lavage showed malignant cells with immunohistochemistry positive for vimentin. The patient underwent a right pneumonectomy when he was later diagnosed with pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma. He was subsequently started on epirubicin, ifosfamide, and mesna and is currently on 3-monthly CT surveillance with no disease recurrence.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
CHEAH et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma (n=1). Right pneumonectomy and chemotherapy (epirubicin, ifosfamide, and mesna) was evaluated on Disease recurrence. A 43-year-old male with pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma mimicking pulmonary embolism was successfully treated with right pneumonectomy and chemotherapy, with no disease recurrence on surveillance.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: