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Case Reports
. 2016 May 10:32:4-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejvssr.2016.04.002. eCollection 2016.

Angiosarcoma of the Descending Aorta, Diagnostic Difficulties

N Anthonissen  1 , T Menting  2 , M Verkroost  1 , W Morshuis  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Angiosarcoma of the Descending Aorta, Diagnostic Difficulties

N Anthonissen et al. EJVES Short Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: Primary angiosarcomas of the aorta are rare and because of their non-specific presentation, the initial diagnosis is often very difficult.

Report: A 66 year old woman, initially suffering from night sweats and general malaise, is presented. A computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed which showed a filling defect of the descending aorta. This defect later caused embolic occlusion of the celiac vessels. The patient underwent surgical resection of the filling defect of the descending aorta and an embolectomy of the celiac vessels. The defect was histopathologically diagnosed as an angiosarcoma. The clinical presentation, diagnostic pitfalls, histopathological diagnosis, and the therapeutic management are discussed.

Discussion: In this case report, the importance of carefully diagnosing an angiosarcoma is highlighted as the consequences could be rapid metastasization or embolization.

Keywords: Angiosarcoma; Descending aorta; Malignancy; Primary aortic tumor.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CT scan showing an irregular abnormality in the descending aorta and occlusion of the celiac trunk.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Filling defect of the descending aorta resected from the 8th thoracic vertebrae to the celiac trunk. (B) Interposition graft inserted between the two ends of the aorta with an oblique anastomosis at the celiac trunk.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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