Death due to a leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1996 Dec;17(4):315-8. doi: 10.1097/00000433-199612000-00008.

Abstract

Leiomyosarcomas of the pulmonary arteries are rare neoplasms seldom diagnosed during the patient's lifetime. We report a case of unexpected death in a 44-year-old man due to a leiomyosarcoma originating from the main pulmonary trunk and involving the right and left arteries as far as the lobar ramifications. The patient died after a 2-year history of bronchiectasis and chronic bronchopneumonia with weight loss and occasional episodes of syncope during the last 4 months. Immunohistochemical demonstration for alpha-smooth muscle actin was necessary to make a histological diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. A review of pulmonary artery leiomyosarcomas is also presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Death, Sudden / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Leiomyosarcoma / complications*
  • Leiomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / complications*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / pathology