Impersonation of a ruptured thoracic aneurysm by a transdiaphragmatic pancreatic cyst.
Pancreatic cysts can, in rare cases, expand into the posterior mediastinum and may require surgical resection. We present the case of a patient with a thoracic aneurysm, in whom the mediastinal involvement of a chronic pancreatic cyst masqueraded as a ruptured aneurysm. Surgery was undertaken: first, the initial resection and drainage of the thoracic portion of the pseudocyst, and second, a thorough cleansing of the entire cyst through median laparotomy 15 days later.
Potapov
E V
EV
Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, and Universitätsklinikum Charité der Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany. potapov@dhzb.de
Bauer
M
M
Knollmann
F
F
Weidemann
H
H
Neuhaus
P
P
Hetzer
R
R
D000368:Aged; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000150:complications*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003964:Diaphragm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010192:Pancreatic Pseudocyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery