A case of aortic thrombosis and embolism preceding the progression of early esophageal cancer.

Aortic thrombosis is rare, especially in non-atherosclerotic aortae. A 51-year-old woman presented with intermittent claudication in the right lower extremity. She was diagnosed as having peripheral artery disease on ultrasound. A computed tomography scan showed a large, sessile, aortic mural thrombus from the infrarenal abdominal aorta to the right common iliac artery. An arteriogram showed an abrupt occlusion of the right superficial femoral artery with collateral arteries. She had no risk factors for atherosclerosis. Interestingly, this occurred before early esophageal cancer progressed. Heparin was administered intravenously and later changed to warfarin. In the follow-up period, the thrombus disappeared, and her symptoms improved. A careful investigation for malignant disease is needed when aortic thrombus occurs in patients with no atherosclerosis risk factors. < Aortic thrombosis is rare, especially in non-atherosclerotic aortae. A patient who presented with descending aortic thrombosis and peripheral embolism complicating early esophageal carcinoma is presented. Interestingly, this occurred before the cancer progressed. A careful investigation for malignant disease is needed when aortic thrombus occurs in patients with no atherosclerosis risk factors.>.