Pulmonary Vein Tumor Thrombus With Intracardiac Extension Secondary to Poorly Differentiated Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Cureus. 2020 May 25;12(5):e8278. doi: 10.7759/cureus.8278.

Abstract

Pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rarely encountered disease entity with varied clinical presentations. It has been reported to be associated with underlying lung malignancy in multiple case reports. Diagnosis can be challenging due to nonspecific symptoms on presentation. Herein, we report a 67-year-old male patient with a history of extensive smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who presented with multiple hemoptysis episodes. CT scan of the chest with contrast showed multiple right lower lobe (RLL) lung masses and a thrombus in the inferior pulmonary vein. After various imaging modalities and transthoracic biopsy of the lung mass, the patient was diagnosed with pulmonary vein tumor thrombus secondary to poorly differentiated bronchogenic carcinoma with intracardiac extension. The patient was started on Eliquis for anticoagulation and is currently in the process of beginning chemo/radiation therapy for the underlying malignancy.

Keywords: left atrial tumor thrombus; pulmonary vein thrombosis; pulmonary vein tumor thrombus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports