Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Clinical, Radiologic, and Histologic Correlation

Abstract

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a clinicopathologic disease entity in which the tumor cells embolize to the pulmonary vasculature leading to a series of maladaptive reactions including the activation of coagulation and fibrocellular intimal thickening. The resultant stenosis of blood vessels leads to pulmonary hypertension and eventual death from cor pulmonale. In this report, we present a case of PTTM presenting as the initial manifestation of metastatic gastric carcinoma in a young man. Although unusual in its occurrence as the initial manifestation of gastric carcinoma, the case is illustrative in its clinical, radiological and histological presentation.