No abstract available.
Coronary Thrombosis/*diagnosis/radiography ; Dizziness/etiology ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Protein C is an important physiological anticoagulant factor. Protein C deficiency has been linked to venous thrombosis at unusual sites, including the cerebral and mesenteric veins. Hereditary protein C deficiency is inherited primarily as an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance. Protein C and S deficiencies are known to increase the risk of venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Testing for protein C levels and function is necessary for the detection of both type I and type II protein C deficiency. In this article, we report a case of pulmonary embolism and mesentery ischemia due to type 1 protein C deficiency.
Colonoscopy ; Humans ; Ischemia/*diagnosis/etiology ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Mesenteric Veins ; Middle Aged ; Protein C Deficiency/*complications/genetics ; Pulmonary Embolism/*diagnosis/etiology/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo analyze the causes of initial erroneous diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) to improve the diagnostic efficiency.

METHODSThe clinical data of 63 patients with a definite diagnosis of PE were retrospectively analyzed. According to the initial diagnosis, the patients were divided into definite diagnosis group (Group A, 23 cases) and misdiagnosis group (group B, 40 cases). The risk factors, initial symptoms, time of definite diagnosis, Wells scores, revised Geneva scores, and findings in chest X-ray and ECGs after onset and before the definite diagnosis were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSIn group A, recent operations, malignancy, long-term bedridden state, PE history and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) symptom were more commonly seen than in group B, and the patients in group B were more likely to have hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus and lower limb varicose veins. The patients in group B had significantly lower Wells scores and revised Geneva scores than those in group A [2.50 (5.00) vs 6.00 (6.00), u=-3.296, P<0.001; 5.50 (4.75) vs 12.00 (9.00), u=-3.187, P<0.001, respectively]. In group B, chest examination in 22 of the 40 cases (55%) reported pulmonary infection, and among them, 15 were misdiagnosed as pneumonia. In groups A and B, SIQIIITIII/QIIITIII in ECG was found in 5 (21.7%) and 0 cases (0%), and normal ECG in 2 (8.7%) and 18 (45.0%) cases, respectively, showing significant difference between the two groups (P=0.010 and 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe initial misdiagnosis of PE results mainly from the low awareness of some of the PE risk factors on the part of the physicians, atypical clinical manifestations and excessive dependence on chest films and ECGs.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnostic Errors ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant soft-tissue neoplasm of unknown histogenesis. The two main sites of occurrence are the lower extremities in adults and the head and neck in children. We report the first case of pleural ASPS occurring in a 58-yr-old man who presented with progressive dyspnea. A computed tomographic scan of the thorax revealed a large enhancing pleural mass with pleural effusion in the left hemithorax. Wide excision of the pleural mass was performed. Histologically, the tumor consisted of organoid nests of large polygonal cells, the cytoplasm of which had eosinophilic and D-PAS positive granules. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor cell nuclei were positive for transcription factor 3 (TFE3). The pleural ASPS with multiple bone metastases recurred 1 yr after surgery and the patient died of acute pulmonary embolism 1.5 yr after diagnosis.
Bone Neoplasms/diagnosis/secondary ; Dyspnea/etiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleura/physiopathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis ; Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Transcription Factor 3/metabolism