Pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case report

Abstract Background It is uncommon for aseptic necrosis to occur in the lung parenchyma as a result of acute pulmonary embolism, because of the dual blood supply of the lung. We report a case in which acute pulmonary embolism led to pulmonary infarction and progressive lung necrosis, requiring treat...

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Main Authors: Hikaru Watanabe, Naoki Kanauchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Japan Surgical Society 2019-01-01
Series:Surgical Case Reports
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Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40792-018-0561-x
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author Hikaru Watanabe
Naoki Kanauchi
author_facet Hikaru Watanabe
Naoki Kanauchi
author_sort Hikaru Watanabe
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background It is uncommon for aseptic necrosis to occur in the lung parenchyma as a result of acute pulmonary embolism, because of the dual blood supply of the lung. We report a case in which acute pulmonary embolism led to pulmonary infarction and progressive lung necrosis, requiring treatment with right lower lobe resection. Case presentation A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital for right-side pleuritic chest pain and fever. He was then admitted in another department in our hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Antimicrobial therapy was initiated; however, laboratory testing elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein. Chest computed tomography revealed acute pulmonary emboli within the right lower lobe segmental pulmonary arteries, as well as a small cavity lesion within the same lobe, which measured 1.2 cm in diameter. Treatment strategies included anticoagulation therapy, thoracic drainage of the affected side, and an antibiotic escalation protocol. However, the patient’s fever did not subside; additionally, his leukocyte count increased after 3 days of the new treatment protocol. We considered it to be difficult to achieve cure with medical treatment alone; therefore, we performed a right lower lobectomy. Conclusions We report an unusual case in which inflammation arose from lung necrosis secondary to lung embolism, which was not alleviated by conservative treatment; however, it was cured by right lower lobectomy.
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spelling doaj-art-23e75f6727dc4e92b82530ec35429d5c2025-08-20T02:42:04ZengJapan Surgical SocietySurgical Case Reports2198-77932019-01-01511410.1186/s40792-018-0561-xPulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case reportHikaru Watanabe0Naoki Kanauchi1Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Nihonkai General HospitalDepartment of General Thoracic Surgery, Nihonkai General HospitalAbstract Background It is uncommon for aseptic necrosis to occur in the lung parenchyma as a result of acute pulmonary embolism, because of the dual blood supply of the lung. We report a case in which acute pulmonary embolism led to pulmonary infarction and progressive lung necrosis, requiring treatment with right lower lobe resection. Case presentation A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital for right-side pleuritic chest pain and fever. He was then admitted in another department in our hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Antimicrobial therapy was initiated; however, laboratory testing elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein. Chest computed tomography revealed acute pulmonary emboli within the right lower lobe segmental pulmonary arteries, as well as a small cavity lesion within the same lobe, which measured 1.2 cm in diameter. Treatment strategies included anticoagulation therapy, thoracic drainage of the affected side, and an antibiotic escalation protocol. However, the patient’s fever did not subside; additionally, his leukocyte count increased after 3 days of the new treatment protocol. We considered it to be difficult to achieve cure with medical treatment alone; therefore, we performed a right lower lobectomy. Conclusions We report an unusual case in which inflammation arose from lung necrosis secondary to lung embolism, which was not alleviated by conservative treatment; however, it was cured by right lower lobectomy.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40792-018-0561-xPulmonary infarctionPulmonary embolismAseptic necrosisSurgical treatment
spellingShingle Hikaru Watanabe
Naoki Kanauchi
Pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case report
Surgical Case Reports
Pulmonary infarction
Pulmonary embolism
Aseptic necrosis
Surgical treatment
title Pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case report
title_full Pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case report
title_fullStr Pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case report
title_short Pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma, treated by right lower lobectomy: a case report
title_sort pulmonary embolism complicated with necrotic debris in the lung parenchyma treated by right lower lobectomy a case report
topic Pulmonary infarction
Pulmonary embolism
Aseptic necrosis
Surgical treatment
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40792-018-0561-x
work_keys_str_mv AT hikaruwatanabe pulmonaryembolismcomplicatedwithnecroticdebrisinthelungparenchymatreatedbyrightlowerlobectomyacasereport
AT naokikanauchi pulmonaryembolismcomplicatedwithnecroticdebrisinthelungparenchymatreatedbyrightlowerlobectomyacasereport