A Case of Lung Cavity Incidentally Discovered Following Evaluation for Pulmonary Embolism

TL;DR

A lung cavity was found by chance during a check for blood clots, and it improved without treatment due to a genetic clotting condition.

Contribution

Highlights the importance of considering genetic factors like Factor V Leiden in lung cavity cases.

Findings

A cavitary lung lesion was incidentally found during pulmonary embolism evaluation.

The cavity improved without antibiotics or chemotherapy, linked to Factor V Leiden.

Treatment strategies depend on the underlying pathology and patient comorbidities.

Abstract

Cavitary lung lesions manifest following a wide variety of pathological processes, which are typically delineated as infectious and non-infectious. With respect to noninfectious causes, malignancies are among the most worrisome, while autoimmune and embolic processes are less frequent and less severe in prognosis. While it is important to differentiate between these etiologies, treatment may resort to surgical procedures for both diagnostic and curative intent. This case involves the incidental finding of a cavitary lung lesion following pulmonary embolism evaluation. Following confirmation of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, the patient was admitted to the hospital, administered anticoagulants, and monitored for changes in respiratory status. Outpatient follow-up showed vast improvement in the cavity without antibiotic/chemotherapeutic treatment. Embolic events were attributed to Factor V Leiden diagnosis. This manuscript aims to discuss etiologies of lung cavities and how treatment strategies may differ depending on pathological processes and concomitant patient comorbidities. Special attention will be paid to pulmonary cavity evaluation in the acute hospital setting.

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