Syphilitic aortitis complicated by multiple aortic aneurysms: findings of multidetector CT

Abstract

We report a case of syphilitic aortitis complicated by multiple aortic aneurysms in a 50-year-old man with elevated rapid plasma reagin titer of 1:128 and positive Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test. 256-slice MDCT depicted two saccular aneurysms in the descending thoracic aorta with a markedly thick mural thrombus causing the trachea and esophagus to shift to the right. Thickening of the aortic wall was also noted. Stenting of the proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and aorto-right common carotid artery bypass were performed. Operative findings revealed thickening of the descending thoracic aortic wall with a coarse luminal surface.