title: A case of spontaneous innominate artery perforation with pericardial tamponade.
abstract: We describe a case of a spontaneously occurring innominate artery perforation which, rather than resulting in immediate death, developed a subacute course with findings suggestive of an expanding mediastinal mass. The cause of the spontaneous perforation appears to have been a combination of atherosclerosis, infection, and infiltration of the underlying structures with malignancy. This is a unique case of subacute spontaneous perforation of a great vessel.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, California 90027, USA.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Alshak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotlewski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous