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Fatal pulmonary tumor embolization following peritoneovenous shunting for malignant ascites
Author(s) -
Smith Robert R. L.,
Sternberg Stephen S.,
Paglia Michael A.,
Golbey Robert B.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930160105
Subject(s) - medicine , peritoneovenous shunt , ascites , embolization , surgery , disseminated intravascular coagulation , inferior vena cava , pseudomyxoma peritonei , asymptomatic , shunt (medical) , thrombosis , radiology , appendix , paleontology , biology
A 44‐year‐old white male with pseudomyxoma peritonei and intractable malignant ascites is described. This patient underwent three peritoneovenous shunt procedures utilizing first the LeVeen shunt and finally the Denver shunt in a surgical attempt at palliative decompression of his malignant ascites. The peritoneovenous shunts resulted in massive tumor embolization to the pulmonary vasculature, clinically asymptomatic disseminated intravascular coagulation, and partial thrombosis of the superior vena cava. The pulmonary tumor embolization was manifest clinically as moderate pulmonary hypertension with increased pulmonary vascular resistance and persistent hypoxia.