# Pulmonary thromboembolism: a case report and misdiagnosis analysis of a 63-year-old female patient

## TL;DR

A 63-year-old woman was initially misdiagnosed with pneumonia but later found to have pulmonary thromboembolism, highlighting the challenges in distinguishing these conditions.

## Contribution

The paper provides insights into the misdiagnosis of PTE and emphasizes the need for improved diagnostic approaches.

## Key findings

- PTE symptoms can closely resemble those of pneumonia, leading to misdiagnosis.
- Insufficient awareness of PTE and non-specific symptoms contributed to the diagnostic error.
- Rational use of clinical examination methods is crucial for timely PTE diagnosis.

## Abstract

This paper presents a case of a 63-year-old female patient who was initially misdiagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia due to symptoms such as chest pain, hemoptysis, and fever, but was later confirmed to have pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) through further examination. This case highlights the similarities between PTE and pneumonia in terms of symptoms, as well as the complexity of PTE diagnosis. The article provides a detailed description of the patient’s medical history, symptoms, examination process, and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, it discusses the possible reasons for the misdiagnosis, including insufficient awareness of PTE among physicians, lack of in-depth investigation into the causes of abnormally elevated D-dimer levels, the non-specific clinical manifestations of PTE, and the concerns of the patient’s family regarding pulmonary artery CTA examination. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of clinicians in improving their ability to differentiate and diagnose PTE, rationally utilizing clinical examination methods, and ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment of PTE.