Cavitating pulmonary infarct in absence of any co-existing cardiopulmonary disease

Abstract

In a patient who had no co-existing cardiopulmonary disease, pulmonary infarction (PI) and cavitation in the infarct is a rare phenomenon. Here, we are reporting such a rare case of cavitating pulmonary infarct who presented with pneumonia. A 65-year-old woman presented with typical infective symptoms such as high-grade fever, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. Her vitals were within normal limits except hyperthermia. Chest X-ray showed right basal consolidation at admission that showed cavitation on the 5th-day chest radiograph. Computerized tomogram of the thorax showed cavitated pulmonary infarct and bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism. All microbiological investigations were negative. She denied having any previous cardiac problem and her current echocardiogram was also unremarkable. This case represents the transition phase of PI and cavitation that was misdiagnosed as a community-acquired pneumonia due to similar clinical and radiological features. PI can present as cavitating pneumonia, even in the absence of any co-existing cardiopulmonary disease.

Keywords

• cavitation
• pulmonary infarct
• pneumonia