Incidental detection of a giant ductus arteriosus aneurysm by low-dose multidetector computed tomography in an asymptomatic adult

J Vasc Surg. 2010 May;51(5):1260-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2009.11.051. Epub 2010 Jan 18.

Abstract

Aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus is a very rare congenital lesion in adults that can be associated with thromboembolism, rupture, and death. Its detection in a silent clinical phase is very important for planning appropriate treatment and avoiding potentially fatal complications. We report a case of a patent ductus arteriosus aneurysm of very large size (65.5 mm) that was incidentally discovered with low-dose (3.2 mSv) multidetector computed tomography in an asymptomatic 67-year-old man. The presence of coronary disease was also ruled out with this non-invasive imaging modality. Further evaluation with echocardiography and selective angiography confirmed the diagnosis. At surgery, the aneurysm was successfully resected via a left posterolateral thoracotomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angiography / methods
  • Aortic Aneurysm / congenital
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / surgery
  • Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Ductus Arteriosus
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / physiopathology
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / surgery*
  • Electrocardiography / methods
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Male
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Rare Diseases
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thoracotomy / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome