Objective: Intrapulmonary artery mass is rare and prone to be misdiagnosed. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review the evaluation of intrapulmonary artery masses by ultrasound imaging, summarize their characteristics, and suggest a standardized approach for clinical management.
Methods: Sixteen patients were enrolled in the study. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a mass attached to the major pulmonary artery (MPA) trunk, straddling the bilateral pulmonary arteries or pulmonary valve (PV). The masses were diagnosed based on the site of the attachment, shape, size, mobility, and other morphological characteristics on ultrasound imaging examination. The pathological data were collected and analyzed from medical records.
Results: TTE images showed that the intrapulmonary artery mass was most frequently located in the MPA trunk. Eight patients had a pathological diagnosis and underwent complete mass resection. Five patients were suspected as having pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and were prescribed anticoagulation therapy, after which the masses decreased or disappeared on follow-up TTE. Three patients with suspected metastatic tumors died during hospitalization and had no pathological data. The 16 patients had the following distribution of diagnoses: thrombus (32%; 5/16), vegetations (12%; 2/16), primary benign lesions (12%; 2/16), primary malignant tumors (19%; 3/16), and metastatic tumors (25%; 4/16).
Conclusion: The majority of intrapulmonary artery masses were thrombi or primary pulmonary artery sarcomas. Primary tumors are much more common than metastatic tumors in the intrapulmonary artery.