Images in Cardiovascular Pathology Unusual autopsy finding in a case of metastatic teratocarcinoma

An unusual autopsy finding was seen in a young case of metastatic teratocarcinoma of the right testis. The patient presented with features of myocardial ischemia and died of sudden cardiac arrest. At autopsy, the lungs were studded with variably sized metastatic nodules composed of glistening hyaline cartilage. Examination of the coronary arteries revealed complete occlusion of the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery lumina by tumor emboli composed of glistening white chondromyxoid material. Histopathology confirmed the presence of mature hyaline cartilage and chondromyxoid material in tumor emboli. The individual died due to severe coronary insufficiency and sudden cardiac arrest secondary to complete luminal occlusion of the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery lumina by tumor emboli composed of hyaline cartilage. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.