Respiratory failure in a cancer patient: pulmonary thrombotic microangiopathy

Clin Med (Lond). 2020 Jul;20(4):430-432. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0102.

Abstract

The hypoxic patient with a normal chest X-ray can be a diagnostic challenge. This case illustrates the rational diagnostic process and describes a relatively rare but important complication of cancer metastasis. Thrombotic microangiopathy, like lymphangitis carcinomatosa, may cause respiratory failure and is a poor prognostic finding. However, unlike lymphangitis carcinomatosa, it may not have specific findings on cross-sectional imaging.

Keywords: Respiratory failure; hypoxaemia; microangiopathy; thrombotic.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / complications
  • Lymphangitis*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency* / etiology
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies* / diagnosis
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies* / etiology