Ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta mimicking lung cancer: A case report

PTA shows stable hemodynamics, but the risk of rupture is extremely high and frequently fatal. To assist in the differential diagnoses, clinicians need to be familiar with imaging findings of PTA. AbstractA 70 ‐year‐old woman was admitted to a local hospital with a five‐day history of back pain. She had been referred to our hospital after an abnormal chest shadow was identified on chest X‐ray. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an anterior mediastinal mass in the upper lobe of the left lung. Her general condition was good. She was diagnosed with lung cancer, and examination was planned. However, respiratory failure rapidly worsened on hospital day 2, and a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta (PTA) was diagnosed from contrast‐enhanced CT. Emergency thoracic endovascular aorti c repair was successfully performed, and her postoperative course was uneventful. The hemodynamics of the PTA were stable in the case of this patient, but the risk of rupture is extremely high and frequently fatal. PTA should therefore be included among the differential diagnoses of mediastinal tumo r.Key pointsSignificant findings of the studyPseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta (PTA) may present on imaging findings that resemble lung cancer.What this study addsPTA should be included among the differential diagnoses of mediastinal tumor. Clinicians therefore need to be familiar with the imaging findings of PTA.

Source: Thoracic Cancer - January 9, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Yutaka Takahara, Kazuaki Nishiki, Keisuke Nakase, Shiro Mizuno Tags: CASE REPORT Source Type: research