Saccular Aneurysm of the Aortic Arch

Abstract

A 65 year old woman was admitted to our hospital with dyspne. She had a medical history of hypertension. Her blood presure was 156/107 mmHg under medication. Physical examination and routine blood tests were normal. The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm. Standard anteroposterior chest radiography (Figure 1A) showed a widened mediastinum so a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography showed normal left ventricular systolic function and also a 36x33 mm saccular aortic aneurysm with intraluminal thrombus which had extended to the lesser curvature of aorta with a narrow neck (11 mm) was seen from the suprasternal view (Figure 1B). For a more accurate assessment, we performed computed tomography angiogram of the thoracic aorta. It demonstrated that a saccular aneurysm of the mid inner curvature of aortic arch with some thrombotic material inside the aneurysm (Figures 1C, 1D). The rest of the aorta was not dilated. She had no history of severe chest or back pain, hoarseness and trauma. The patient and her family were informed about the recommended surgical and endovascular repair options if needed. The patient was initially managed conservatively with aggressive antihypertensive therapy