Radiographically occult pulmonary metastases from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Abstract

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a spectrum of diseases including partial and complete hydatidiform moles, placental site trophoblastic tumor, and choriocarcinoma. One of the most important considerations is recognition of the possibility of GTN after molar pregnancy or even normal pregnancy. It is common practice to use chest x-ray for the detection of pulmonary metastasis. Computed tomography imaging of the lungs is ordered if lung lesions are noted on chest x-rays. However, understanding the limitations of chest x-rays is important for detecting smaller pulmonary lesions. We present a patient with GTN and pulmonary metastasis after having received 2 negative chest x-rays.

Keywords

• Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
• Molar pregnancy
• Pulmonary metastasis