Atypical Presentation of Pulmonary Embolism Masquerading as Abdominal Pain

Abstract

This case report presents a rare manifestation of pulmonary embolism (PE) with atypical abdominal pain, highlighting the diagnostic challenges encountered. A female patient in her early eighties initially presented with left upper abdominal pain, initially treated for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), and later accurately diagnosed with PE through Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA). Various mechanisms of abdominal pain in PE are discussed, including right-sided heart failure-induced hepatic congestion and diaphragmatic irritation from pulmonary lobe infarction. Despite dyspnea and chest pain being more common, abdominal pain is documented in 6.7% of cases. This case underscores the importance of considering PE in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, particularly in the elderly population, to prevent potentially fatal consequences.