[Massive hemoptysis in a patient with an aortic pseudoaneurysm]

Abstract

We present a case of non-fistulated, non-fissured arteriosclerotic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta in a patient with massive hemoptysis. The condition was resolved by resection, with the breach repaired with a Dacron patch. The diagnosis of thrombotic false aneurysm of the aorta was suspected after inspection of the digital angiograph and aortograph obtained by computed axial tomography. A review of the literature revealed 89 cases of non-surgically removable thoracic aortic aneurysm with hemoptysis; 72 of these cases involved aortobronchial fistulas. In only 1 case was the wall of the aneurysm intact, showing no fissures in spite of hemoptysis. The absence of fissuring or tearing in our patient may be accounted for by the delay of 10 days between the last bout of hemoptysis and surgical resection.