Significance of clinico-radiological correlation in a patient with Pulmonary intimal sarcoma simulating as pulmonary thromboembolism

Pulmonary intimal sarcoma (PAS) is a highly aggressive malignant mesenchymal tumour affecting the central pulmonary arteries. Similar clinical presentation and indeterminate laboratory parameters often result in misdiagnosis of this condition as pulmonary thromboembolism, which is a relatively common disease. Certain imaging features can however allow differentiation between these two diagnoses. We present one such case of pulmonary intimal sarcoma that was initially treated as pulmonary embolism; and briefly review the relevant imaging characteristics to avoid overlooking PAS especially in patients with an atypical clinical history for thromboembolism.