In a dramatic medical emergency, a 51-year-old woman, Oneza Gite from Mumbai experienced sudden and severe breathlessness before collapsing, prompting immediate hospitalization on February 4th. What initially appeared to be a respiratory crisis soon revealed a far more complex and life-threatening condition.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital from where she was referred the next day to Medicover Hospitals, in Navi Mumbai where doctors quickly initiated emergency evaluation.
The patient revealed that she had been dealing with weight loss, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, and even calf pain for some time, but assumed these were routine symptoms of middle age and chose to ignore them.
Investigations revealed that the patient was suffering from a saddle pulmonary embolism, one of the most dangerous forms of Pulmonary Embolism.
This condition occurs when a large clot lodges at the bifurcation of the pulmonary arteries, blocking blood flow to both lungs, often leading to sudden collapse and high mortality if untreated.
Doctors noted that her condition was critical, requiring immediate intervention to restore blood flow and stabilize oxygen levels.
Further imaging revealed another serious issue, a giant uterine fibroid.
See also: An Advanced Robotic Surgery Removed 26 Uterine Fibroids, Preserving Woman’s Uterus
The fibroid was significantly large and likely contributed to the patient’s condition by:
Increasing abdominal pressure
Potentially affecting venous circulation
Raising the risk of clot formation
This combination of pulmonary embolism and massive fibroid made the case extremely rare and complex.
A multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Badal Taori (Internal Medicine), Dr. Anuranjita Pallavi (Gynecology), Dr. Dharmik Bhuva (Interventional Radiology), and Dr. Vivek (Surgical Oncology) successfully treated the woman.
Dr. Badal Taori explained,
“When the patient arrived, she was unstable, breathless, and had already suffered a collapse. The CT scan revealed a saddle pulmonary embolism—one of the most dangerous forms—where a large clot blocks blood flow to both lungs. Without immediate intervention, this could have led to cardiac arrest. Early warning signs such as calf pain are often ignored but can indicate underlying clot formation.”
On February 7, Dr. Dharmik Bhuva performed a mechanical catheter-directed thrombectomy combined with thromboaspiration and thrombolysis. The procedure involved navigating a catheter through the femoral vein to the pulmonary arteries to mechanically break and remove the clot while delivering clot-dissolving medication directly at the site.
Subsequently, on February 10, the patient underwent venoplasty along with infrarenal IVC filter placement to prevent future clots from reaching the lungs. Interestingly, Doppler studies of the lower limbs did not reveal deep vein thrombosis.
Once the patient was stabilized, attention shifted to the underlying cause—the massive uterine fibroid.
Dr. Anuranjita Pallavi noted,
“This was an extremely high-risk case due to the coexistence of a massive pulmonary embolism and a giant fibroid occupying significant abdominal space. Large pelvic tumors can compress veins and increase the risk of clot formation. After careful stabilization, we performed a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.”
The surgery revealed a 30 cm fibroid weighing approximately 4 kg, extending up to the chest region. The complex procedure lasted nearly three hours and required meticulous coordination across specialties.
Following surgery, the patient was closely monitored in the ICU, where she showed steady improvement. She was shifted to the ward on February 18, 2026, and began physiotherapy along with supervised mobilization. Gradually, she regained strength and resumed basic activities.
Dr. Taori added,
“Her recovery has been encouraging. Her breathing normalized, cardiac function stabilized, and she is now on anticoagulant therapy to prevent recurrence. Cases like this highlight the increasing incidence of pulmonary embolism in individuals aged 40–60, often linked to lifestyle factors and undiagnosed conditions.”
Recalling her ordeal, Mrs. Oneza Gite said,
“I remember feeling sudden breathlessness, and then everything went blank. I never imagined that something like calf pain could lead to such a serious condition. The doctors acted quickly and kept my family informed at every step. Today, I feel grateful to be alive and am focusing on my recovery.”
This case stands out for several reasons:
Rare coexistence of two high-risk conditions
Importance of multidisciplinary coordination
Role of advanced diagnostics and ICU care
Demonstrates how timely intervention saves lives
Medical experts highlight that pulmonary embolism often presents with subtle symptoms but can escalate rapidly. Risk factors include:
Prolonged immobility
Obesity
Hormonal factors
Large pelvic tumors like fibroids
The coordinated efforts of pulmonologists, cardiologists, gynecologists, and critical care specialists transformed a near-fatal emergency into a life-saving success story.
(Rh)