Abstract

Case Report

Unveiling the Impostor: Pulmonary Embolism Presenting as Pneumonia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Saahil Kumar, Karuna Sree Alwa*, Mahesh Babu Vemuri, Anumola Gandhi Ganesh Gupta, Nuthan Vallapudasu and Sunitha Geddada

Published: 05 February, 2025 | Volume 9 - Issue 1 | Pages: 001-005

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) can present with symptoms resembling pneumonia, creating a diagnostic challenge, particularly in patients with comorbidities. We report the case of a 67-year-old male who presented with cough, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, fever, and pedal edema. Initially diagnosed with consolidation based on chest X-ray findings, he was treated with antibiotics. However, persistent symptoms prompted further evaluation, leading to the diagnosis of PE with pulmonary infarction and deep vein thrombosis on computed tomography pulmonary angiography and Doppler ultrasound. This case highlights the need to consider PE in the differential diagnosis of consolidation, particularly in high-risk individuals, to avoid delays in appropriate management.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.jprr.1001065 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Pulmonary embolism (PE); Severe pneumonia; Lower respiratory tract infection; Differential diagnosis

References

  1. Sadeq AH, Farooqui MK, Sadiq Y. Pneumonia and concealed pulmonary embolism: A case report and literature review. J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2022;52(2):142-146. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/14782715221103670
  2. Stein PD, Beemath A, Matta F, Weg JG, Yusen RD, Hales CA, et al. Clinical characteristics of patients with acute pulmonary embolism: data from PIOPED II. Am J Med. 2007;120(10):871-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2007.03.024
  3. Rahman KK, Durgeshwar G, Mohapatra PR, Panigrahi MK, Mahanty S. Pulmonary infarct masquerading as community-acquired pneumonia in the COVID-19 scenario: A case report. World J Respirol. 2024;13(1):1-6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5320/wjr.v13.i1.1
  4. Goldhaber SZ, Hennekens CH, Evans DA, Newton EC, Godleski JJ. Factors associated with correct antemortem diagnosis of major pulmonary embolism. Am J Med. 1982;73:822-826. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9343(82)90764-1
  5. Anderson DR, Kahn SR, Rodger MA, Kovacs MJ, Morris T, Hirsch A, et al. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography vs ventilation-perfusion lung scanning in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2007;298:2743. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.298.23.2743
  6. Gibson NS, Sohne M, Gerdes VE, Nijkeuter M, Buller HR. The importance of clinical probability assessment in interpreting a normal d-dimer in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Chest. 2008;134(4):789–93. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.08-0344
  7. Payus AO, Rajah R, Febriany DC, Mustafa N. Pulmonary Embolism Masquerading as Severe Pneumonia: A Case Report. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(3):396-399. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.114
  8. Evren H, Evren EÜ, Coşkun U. Pulmonary Embolism Mimicking Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Case Series. Cyprus J Med Sci. 2019;4(1):60-62. Available from: https://cyprusjmedsci.com/articles/pulmonary-embolism-mimicking-community-acquired-pneumonia-a-case-series/doi/cjms.2019.752

Figures:

Figure 1

Figure 1

Similar Articles

Recently Viewed

  • Epidemiological Prevalence of Tuberculosis in the State of Maranhão between 2014 and 2016
    Pedro Agnel Dias Miranda Neto*, Hortência Biatriz de Melo Santana, Vanessa Maria das Neves, Hermerson Sousa Maia, Thayná Milena Nunes França and Rosana Karla Costa Pedro Agnel Dias Miranda Neto*,Hortência Biatriz de Melo Santana, Vanessa Maria das Neves,Hermerson Sousa Maia,Thayná Milena Nunes França,Rosana Karla Costa. Epidemiological Prevalence of Tuberculosis in the State of Maranhão between 2014 and 2016. J Pulmonol Respir Res. 2019: doi: 10.29328/journal.jprr.1001012; 3: 013-016
  • Impact of Refractive Error Correction on Vision Related Quality of Life in School-Aged Children-A Prospective Interventional Study
    Ashok Rathi*, Sonam Gill, RS Chauhan, Jyoti Deswal, Abhishek Sagar and Nipun Rathi Ashok Rathi*,Sonam Gill,RS Chauhan,Jyoti Deswal,Abhishek Sagar,Nipun Rathi. Impact of Refractive Error Correction on Vision Related Quality of Life in School-Aged Children-A Prospective Interventional Study. Int J Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2025: doi: 10.29328/journal.ijceo.1001061; 9: 011-017
  • Case report: contrast imaging in the setting of venous thrombosis
    Daniel Stephen Green*, Daniel O’Neill, Marion Dimigen, Simren Kaur and Roy Beran Daniel Stephen Green*,Daniel O’Neill,Marion Dimigen,Simren Kaur,Roy Beran. Case report: contrast imaging in the setting of venous thrombosis. J Neurosci Neurol Disord. 2023: doi: 10.29328/journal.jnnd.1001072; 7: 001-004
  • Case study (A and B): a patient with Parkinson’s disease
    Muhammad Zulkifl Hasan*, Muhammad Zunnurain Hussain, Khadeeja Anjum and Arha Anwar Muhammad Zulkifl Hasan*,Muhammad Zunnurain Hussain,Khadeeja Anjum,Arha Anwar. Case study (A and B): a patient with Parkinson’s disease. J Neurosci Neurol Disord. 2023: doi: 10.29328/journal.jnnd.1001073; 7: 005-010
  • Mercury toxicity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    Carmine Ungaro* and Teresa Sprovieri# Carmine Ungaro*,Teresa Sprovieri#. Mercury toxicity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurosci Neurol Disord. 2023: doi: 10.29328/journal.jnnd.1001074; 7: 011-013

Read More

Most Viewed

Read More

Help ?