Unresolved pulmonary embolism leading to a diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma

Abstract

Pulmonary artery sarcomas (PAS) are rare tumors with a poor prognosis. They are often misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism (PE) leading to futile anticoagulation treatment and delay in proper diagnosis. We present a case of a patient who was initially misdiagnosed and anticoagulated for presumed pulmonary embolism. Progressive symptoms and additional imaging led to the diagnosis of intimal pulmonary artery sarcoma for which he underwent surgical resection. This case serves as a reminder to consider pulmonary artery sarcoma in the differential diagnosis of patients with dyspnea and filling defects on CT pulmonary angiogram offering the potential for resection prior to metastasis.