Endovascular embolization with EVOH for the treatment of a Rasmussen aneurysm

J Radiol Case Rep. 2023 Aug 31;17(8):8-14. doi: 10.3941/jrcr.v17i8.4687. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Abstract

First-line treatment of pulmonary artery aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms (PAA/PAPA) is percutaneous or endovascular embolization. The present case of a Rasmussen aneurysm, a PAPA caused by Tuberculosis (TB), was successfully treated with ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), a radiopaque liquid embolic agent with favorable characteristics. A 35-year-old man presented as a new patient with hemoptysis, and CT imaging revealed multiple cavitary lesions and a 2.1 cm aneurysm in the upper right lobe. Endovascular treatment was delivered and a complete lack of filling of the lesion was noted on post-treatment angiography. The patient's history includes risk factors and past TB infection. Despite the suspicious imaging, diagnostic tests were negative for active TB in this patient. He was then found to have MRSA bacteremia and a mediastinal lymph node positive for M. avium. The etiology of this aneurysm is suspicious for the superinfection of a chronic tuberculous cavity with M. avium, MRSA, or both.

Keywords: EVOH; Rasmussen; endovascular embolization; pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA); pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAPA).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm*
  • Aneurysm, False* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False* / therapy
  • Angiography
  • Contrast Media
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • Contrast Media