Pulmonary wedge aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of recurrent tumour embolism causing pulmonary arterial hypertension

Int J Cardiol. 1993 Jun;39(3):209-12. doi: 10.1016/0167-5273(93)90040-n.

Abstract

Recurrent subacute pulmonary embolism leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension is an uncommon presentation of malignancy. We describe one such patient who presented to us with features of pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension. A novel yet simple technique, involving pulmonary wedge aspiration cytology, provided the tissue diagnosis of trophoblastic malignancy, thus enabling prompt institution of chemotherapy and consequent impressive clinical improvement. This technique appears to be a hitherto unreported indication for intravascular catheterisation in the diagnostic work up of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Catheterization, Swan-Ganz
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating* / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pulmonary Artery / pathology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / pathology
  • Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
  • Recurrence
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / complications
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology*