Endovascular management of a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to mucormycosis: A case report

Abstract

The development of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) secondary to pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is exceedingly rare. Without immediate intervention, PAPs can result in life-threatening hemorrhage as these weakening vessels are prone to rupture. To avoid such an occurrence, procedures that restrict blood flow to the vulnerable region are typically performed. The present case study details the effective employment of endovascular coil embolization in treating a patient with PAP due to pulmonary mucormycosis.

Keywords: Case report; Embolization; Mucormycosis; Pseudoaneurysm; Pulmonary infection.

Fig. 1

Coronal CT image (A) and contrast-enhanced CT (B) 6 days before embolization display a 2-cm aneurysm in the lower lobe of the left lung (yellow arrows). A cavitary lesion in the right lower lobe was also noticed, suspicious of a newly emerging aneurysm.

Fig. 2

(A–D) Intraoperative angiogram was obtained during the PAP embolization. The aneurysm of interest was precisely located (A). With the aid of a guidewire and a microcatheter, a microcoil was gently negotiated into the pseudoaneurysm (B, C). After the microcatheter was retracted, an additional angiogram was obtained to ensure the microcoil was appropriately packed with no significant flow observed (D).

Fig. 3

Contrast-enhanced CT images (A, B) show an embolization coil (yellow arrows) in the parenchyma of the medial left lower lobe 4 months after the procedure. No evidence of pulmonary embolism, acute consolidation, or abnormal lesion was found.