Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially fatal condition. The case is presented of a young woman who presented to the emergency department with first-time seizures. On further investigation and corroborated by post-mortem findings, this was found to be a manifestation of PE. The purpose of this report is to highlight to the clinical community that PE can present in a varied fashion and that, because of this, its diagnosis can occasionally be delayed. Vigilance is advised and expert clinical acumen is needed in young non-smoking persons with previously normal respiratory physiology who present with signs and symptoms of respiratory compromise, irrespective of the predominant or masking presentation.