Palliative embolisation for intrapulmonary shunting in lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) (formerly known as bronchioalveolar carcinoma) has rarely been reported to cause refractory hypoxia with intrapulmonary shunting [1–7]. We describe a case who underwent the palliative strategy of intravascular right lower pulmonary artery embolisation with an 18 mm Amplatzer II vascular plug to reduce intrapulmonary shunting. This is the first report we are aware of using this minimally invasive procedure to treat this condition.

Successful pulmonary arterial embolization followed by curative surgery for a lepidic predominant lung adenocarcinoma with severe hypoxemia

“…Wartzki et al described a case of left pneumonectomy for a stage III adenocarcinoma performed after a temporary balloon occlusion showing a correction of the shunting [ 8 ]. One case of palliative embolization was reported, in 2015 [ 9 ]. In this case of an extensive bilateral lung disease, the procedure failed to demonstrate a PO2 improvement but it induced a clear improvement of the dyspnea.…”