Left Upper Lung Lobectomy Is an Embolic Risk Factor for Cerebral Infarction

Cerebral embolism is typically caused by a cardiogenic thrombus. The patent foramen ovale is a well-known cause of paradoxical embolism. However, some idiopathic cases of stroke have been reported. Such strokes are designated as embolic stroke of undetermined sources. Among them, lung lobectomy may be a new embolic risk factor for cerebral embolism. The risk of thrombus formation is high at the pulmonary vein stump after lung lobectomy, especially in the left upper lobe. Interestingly, the risk remains several years after surgery. This condition is mostly overlooked, and reported cases of this condition are rare. Methods of early detection, prevention, and treatment have not been established. Here we report the case of a 66-year-old man who suffered a cerebral infarction 2 days after left upper lobectomy. Three-dimensional computed tomography scan clearly revealed the structural feature of the pulmonary vein stump. The stump of patients with cerebral infarction after lung lobectomy should be checked.