Endovascular Catheter Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma

Ann Vasc Dis. 2019 Jun 25;12(2):256-259. doi: 10.3400/avd.hdi.19-00001.

Abstract

The diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is challenging, and its definitive diagnosis is mainly confirmed using specimens obtained during surgery or autopsy. Endovascular catheter biopsy was performed in five patients with suspected PAS to establish a definitive diagnosis. Aspiration biopsy was performed in all patients, and forceps biopsy was performed in one patient. Three patients were diagnosed with PAS, and no definitive diagnosis was obtained in two patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma with pulmonary artery infiltration. Endovascular catheter biopsy is helpful in the diagnosis of PAS and should be performed when a tumor is suspected.

Keywords: endovascular biopsy; preoperative diagnosis; pulmonary artery sarcoma.