Left superior pulmonary vein stump thrombosis and right renal infarction after left upper lobectomy: case report and literature review.

Left upper lobectomy (LUL) has been considered to have a higher risk of thrombus formation in the pulmonary vein stump (PVS) than other lobectomies. A case of thrombus formation in the PVS and right renal infarction detected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) 12 days after LUL is presented. The thrombus in the PVS was considered to be related to the renal infarction because of the lack of other potential explanations. After intravenous heparin treatment for 1 week and continuous oral anticoagulation, the thrombus in the PVS became smaller 3 months after the operation, and it basically disappeared after 1 year. Scar formation was detected in the area of renal infarction 3 months after the operation, and no specific change was detected from then on. One should consider performing postoperative chest and abdominal CECT routinely within 1 week after LUL, and, if thrombosis is found, antithrombotic therapy might then be given.