[An autopsy of a case of pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary embolization of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma].

ABSTRACT

A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for one month because of progressive dyspnea. Her medical history included an operation for hepatolithiasis at age 47. She was a current smoker. Chest CT revealed emphysematous change and honeycombing in the lung and bilateral subpleural opacifications. Cardiac ultrasound examination showed pulmonary hypertension. Treatments with antibiotics, corticosteroids and heparin were unsuccessful. Despite mechanical ventilation, she died of respiratory failure. Autopsy revealed that intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma had spread via the hematogeneous route, formed multiple emboli into the pulmonary small arteries, and led to severe pulmonary hypertension and lung infarction.