Rasmussen aneurysm in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Rasmussen aneurysm is a rare complication of tuberculosis, where a pulmonary artery adjacent to a tuberculous cavity aneurysm may lead to life threatening hemoptysis. Sudden or severe hemoptysis is an emergency condition in TB patients who need prompt recognition and intervention, often through endovascular embolization, to prevent fatal outcomes.

Keywords: Rasmussen aneurysm; hemoptysis; pulmonary artery aneurysm; pulmonary tuberculosis.

FIGURE 1

(A) x‐Ray chest posteroanterior (PA) view shows patch of consolidation with air bronchograms in the right lower lung zone. Left lung is unremarkable. (B) Post contrast computed tomography (CT) chest axial section lung window shows area of cavitating consolidation in basal segment of right lung, lower lobe with adjacent ground glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening (arrow). (C) Post contrast CT chest axial section, mediastinal window showing internal dilated pulmonary vessel representing Rasmussen aneurysm (arrow).