A case of fatal tumor embolus following trauma in a patient with undiagnosed Wilms' tumor

Involvement of the inferior vena cava with tumor thrombus has been reported in 5 to 10% of patients with Wilms' tumor (1). Preoperative imaging usually alerts the surgeon to the extent of the intravascular extension. We present a case report of trauma to a previously undiagnosed Wilms' tumor that resulted in a fatal intraoperative pulmonary tumor embolus.