[Intrapulmonary tumor cell embolism from cancer of the bladder as the cause of a subacute cor pulmonale].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 61-year-old man had over 3 weeks experienced increasing dyspnoea on effort and loss of appetite. He reported previous chronic pain with a "stiffened hip" treated long-term with diclofenac, and three transurethral surgical interventions. It was only at the latest admission that bladder cancer (first diagnosed 2 years previously) became known as the reason for the interventions. On admission pallor, sinus tachycardia, fever of 38 degrees C and dyspnoea on light exertion were noted, but blood pressure was normal.

INVESTIGATIONS: Chest X-ray was normal, but the patient had marked respiratory insufficiency (pO2 30.8 mmHg, pCO2 31.6 mmHg) on room air. Echocardiography showed a dilated right ventricle with paradoxical septal movement. There was no evidence of thrombosis in the leg veins on ultrasound. D-dimers were normal.

DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: Pulmonary artery embolism of unknown origin was suspected. Despite anticoagulation with low-molecular heparin the patient's condition deteriorated. Spiral computed tomography of the thorax did not show thrombi in the pulmonary arterial vessels. Perfusion scintigraphy demonstrated definite perfusion deficits bilaterally in the upper lobes of the lung, consistent with pulmonary embolism. As his condition gradually worsened rt-PA was started to achieve fibrinolysis, but failed to produce any change in haemodynamic and respiratory functions. He died a few hours later. Microscopic examination at autopsy revealed multiple tumour emboli with intimal fibrosis in the peripheral arteries. A poorly differentiated urothelial carcinoma of the bladder with extensive infiltration of blood vessels was found (carcinomatous haemangiosis).

CONCLUSION: A malignant tumour with micro-embolization of tumour cells should be considered as a possible diagnosis when the clinical picture indicates pulmonary embolism of unknown genesis.