Recurrent lower limb embolism from thoracic aortic mural thrombus: a rare presentation of occult malignancy

HK Mark, NS Ho, CCW Tse, LF Tang, ST Hwang
Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Hong Kong


Initial presentation of a malignant disease as recurrent attacks of lower limb ischaemia due to emboli from a mural thrombus in the descending thoracic aorta is extremely rare. A diagnosis of malignancy may thus easily be overlooked. Recent advances in imaging technology have made the diagnosis of thoracic aortic mural thrombi much easier. Occult malignancy should always be suspected in the absence of biochemical evidence of hypercoagulability. We report on a patient with underlying malignant disease who presented with lower limb ischaemia that was relieved by axillobifemoral bypass.

Hong Kong Med J 2005;11:503-6

Key words: Aortic diseases; Embolism; Magnetic resonance imaging; Thrombosis; Tomography, X-ray computed