Fatal Pulmonary Embolism in a Teenager: Case Report

Abstract

Massive pulmonary embolism is unusual in young people. We present a case of massive pulmonary embolism in a teenage Chinese patient. Initially he presented to the emergency department with dyspnoea and fever. Influenza B was diagnosed during his four-day stay in the paediatric ward. One week later he suddenly collapsed and presented to the emergency department with chest pain, syncope and dyspnoea. Despite undergoing rapid assessment, along with prompt admission to intensive care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he died. Autopsy revealed massive pulmonary embolism, which is rare at this age. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography and early thrombolytic therapy may improve the outcome in similar cases.

Massive pulmonary embolism and thrombophilia

“…A case report by BayÕz et al 11 described a 38-year-old woman requiring thrombolysis following diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism, discovered to have both activated protein C resistance and protein S deficiency. Wong et al 12 outlined the case of a teenage boy readmitted with collapse and cardiac arrest following an initial diagnosis of influenza B virus. Postmortem revealed massive pulmonary emboli and thrombophilia studies showed protein C and protein S deficiency.…”