Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy mimicking inhalation lung injury

Abstract

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a complication characterized by dyspnea, pulmonary hypertension, and occasionally sudden death. We encountered a man who developed PTTM and had an inhalation history of chemical herbicides and abnormal findings on chest computed tomography, mimicking chemical inhalation lung injury. He was diagnosed with PTTM with adenocarcinoma by a transbronchial lung biopsy and received chemotherapy and anticoagulant therapy. He survived for one month. An autopsy revealed primary gastric cancer with PTTM that can have a presentation similar to diffuse pulmonary diseases, including chemical inhalation lung injury. The examination of a biopsy specimen is crucial in such patients.