Aortopulmonary fistula caused by penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and intramural hematoma.
A 75-year-old woman presented with chronic cough and hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography (CT) and aortography revealed a small, contrast-filled outpouching in the wall of the descending aorta, which was thought to be the source of bleeding. At thoracotomy, there were firm adhesions between the descending aorta and the left S6. The aorta was clamped and the adhesions were removed revealing a defect in the aortic wall with thrombus. The defect was sutured. A penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and intramural hematoma were diagnosed based on the radiological and operative findings.
Sakamoto
Jin
J
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shimane Prefectural Hospital, 4-1-1 Himebara, Izumo, Shimane 693-8555, Japan. jins10212004@yahoo.co.jp
Kosaka
Shinji
S
Yamauchi
Masanobu
M
Takahashi
Tsuyoshi
T
Hijiya
Kyoko
K
D000368:Aged; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001027:Aortography; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014456:Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery