Arterial tumor embolism caused by metastatic melanoma: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Arterial tumor embolization is a rare complication of neoplasms. This report describes a 64-year-old female with metastatic melanoma and acute arterial embolization to the left lower extremity. With surgical embolectomy, a clot was retrieved that had an atypical bland solid lead point. Pathologic examination confirmed metastatic melanoma. Further echocardiography revealed an intracardiac mass consistent with metastatic disease. The patient was seen a month later with embolization to the right middle cerebral artery. Copyright © 2002 by The Society for Vascular Surgery and The American Association for Vascular Surgery.