Pulmonary Artery Intimal Sarcoma: A Diagnostic Challenge Using a Multimodal Approach.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2020
Abstract
Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma (PAIS) is a rare tumor without clear syndromic presentation other than nonspecific symptoms of cough, dyspnea, and weight loss. This diagnosis is difficult due to challenging radiographic interpretations of multiple imaging modalities. We present a case of a 60-year-old male, who presented to his pulmonologist and underwent a CT chest with IV contrast that initially suggested primary lung carcinoma. CT angiogram showed significant vascular filling defects suspicious of an intravascular mass, rather than vascular invasion by lung lesions. The PET/CT scans further suggested a malignant process, but indistinguishable between an extravascular or intravascular etiology. Taking these results together, they suggested an intravascular malignancy, prompting a tissue biopsy, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of PAIS with metastases. Establishing a definitive diagnosis is essential as treatment and prognosis are different for sarcoma compared to carcinoma. There is no standard treatment to date, and management often includes a multidisciplinary approach involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. PAIS is a rare entity that cannot be diagnosed clinically and needs a multimodality approach for its diagnosis.
Volume
2020
First Page
6795272
Last Page
6795272
ISSN
1687-9627
Published In/Presented At
Nakrani, R., Yeung, H. M., Kim, J. S., Kamat, B., & Kumaran, M. (2020). Pulmonary Artery Intimal Sarcoma: A Diagnostic Challenge Using a Multimodal Approach. Case reports in medicine, 2020, 6795272. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6795272
Disciplines
Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology
PubMedID
33082786
Department(s)
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Imaging
Document Type
Article