Key result
Autopsy of a 49-year-old man who died suddenly revealed an undiagnosed primary small cell lung carcinoma causing a 700 mL pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights that advanced small cell lung carcinoma can present as sudden death due to cardiac tamponade.
Raises awareness of occult malignancy in unexplained tamponade; leaves open prospective studies on early detection.
Although most fatal lung tumors are well diagnosed before a patient's death, occasionally forensic pathologists encounter cases of sudden death in which the presence of a primary small cell lung carcinoma was not suspected. We present the case of a 49-year-old man asymptomatic until 2 days before his death. The autopsy revealed a huge tumorous mass originating from the central bronchus, infiltrating the large vessels, pulmonary parenchyma, pericardium, and the right ventricle of the heart. Pericardial sac was distended due to pericardial effusion (700 mL). Examination also revealed metastases to the liver, pancreas, and right adrenal gland. Microscopic examination identified the primary neoplasm as a small cell lung carcinoma after common stain of hematoxylin-eosin, and additional immunohistochemistry were performed.
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Papavdi et al. (2015) conducted a case report in Advanced Bronchogenic Carcinoma with Cardiac Tamponade (n=1). Undiagnosed small cell lung carcinoma was evaluated on Autopsy findings. Autopsy of a 49-year-old man who died suddenly revealed an undiagnosed primary small cell lung carcinoma causing a 700 mL pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.
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