Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma masquerading as pulmonary thromboembolism: a rare diagnosis unveiled

Background

Primary pulmonary artery sarcomas are rare malignant vascular tumors and carry a very poor prognosis. Due to overlapping clinical and radiological features, the differentiation between pulmonary artery thromboembolism and pulmonary artery sarcoma can be challenging.

Case presentation

We herein present clinical, radiological and pathological features of primary pulmonary artery high grade sarcoma (angiosarcoma) in a 59-year-old male. The patient presented with a history of breathlessness on exertion of 2-months duration and was misdiagnosed as massive pulmonary thromboembolism on initial CT imaging.

Conclusion

Great similarity with significant degree of overlap in clinical and radiologic presentation makes differentiation of pulmonary artery sarcomas and thromboembolism a diagnostic challenge. Even though they are exceptionally rare, one should always consider it as differential diagnosis especially in cases with atypical clinical or imaging presentation.