Squamous cell carcinoma lung: Presented with bilateral lower limb deep venous thrombosis with gangrene formation

Abstract

Bilateral venous thrombosis due to underlying malignancy is a rare entity. It is worthy to search for malignancy in patients of bilateral venous gangrene. Our patient presented with severe bilateral leg pain as a result of venous gangrene. There was associated left sided massive pleural effusion with scalp nodule. Fine needle aspiration cytology of scalp nodule revealed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and fiber optic bronchoscopy guided biopsy from growth at left upper lobe bronchus confirmed the case as squamous cell carcinoma lung. It was rare for squamous cell carcinoma lung to present as bilateral venous gangrene with anticardiolipin antibody negative.

Keywords: Bilateral deep venous thrombosis; squamous cell carcinoma lung; venous gangrene.

Figure 1

Blackening of skin of all the toes on both feet with swelling suggesting venous gangrene

Figure 2

CT scan thorax showing left sided massive pleural effusion with atelectasis of left lung

Figure 3

(a) FNAC from scalp nodule showing atypical cells (yellow arrow) suggestive of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (H and E ×200). (b) Bronchial biopsy showing nuclear hyperchromasia with pleomorphism and keratinisation pearl (yellow arrow) suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma of lung (H and E, ×200)