Rupture of a tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery into the trachea and esophagus: report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Spontaneous rupture of a tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery, undiagnosed until necropsy, occurred simultaneously into the trachea and the esophagus in a patient receiving anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. This is the first reported instance of a tuberculous innominate artery aneurysm, the third tuberculous aneurysm with rupture into the trachea, the sixth into the esophagus, and the first with rupture into both structures. A review of the literature relating to tuberculous aneurysms of the major arteries is provided.