Authors:
Giuseppe Runza Department of Radiology, ASP Siracusa, Syracuse, Italy

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Erica Maffei Department of Radiology, Area Vasta 1, ASUR Marche, Urbino, Italy

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Elisabetta Barbieri Department of Radiology, Area Vasta 1, ASUR Marche, Urbino, Italy

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Filippo Cademartiri SDN IRCCS, Naples, Italy

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0579-3279
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Abstract

In this report we show an unusual case of a giant ascending aortic double chambers pseudoaneurysm eroding the sternum. The patient was an asymptomatic 22-year-old man who underwent CT Angiography with ECG gating and who previously underwent aortic valve replacement.

Abstract

In this report we show an unusual case of a giant ascending aortic double chambers pseudoaneurysm eroding the sternum. The patient was an asymptomatic 22-year-old man who underwent CT Angiography with ECG gating and who previously underwent aortic valve replacement.

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare complication (<1%) that may occur after cardiac surgery procedures but can be a life-threatening complication. Often, ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm is asymptomatic but in some cases symptoms and clinical presentation could be unclear. This leads to misdiagnosis and delay in the prompt surgical approach [1–4].

A case of a 22-year-old man with asymptomatic aortic double chambers pseudoaneurysm that infiltrate the sternum. Patient is African and he has been disembarked at Lampedusa Island illegally. At the first health control in the “Policy Department”, the physician relieved a systolic murmur (Levine 2/6) and detected the presence of a mechanical prosthetic valve in aortic position. Patient had undergone aortic valve replacement 6 years ago. He reached our institution in a good clinical condition. A partially calcified ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm and a right atrium-left ventricle fistula (AVF) just below the aortic valve were detected by cardiac ultrasound. ECG-gated 64-slice Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography (Brilliance 64, Philips Medical Systems, Cleveland, Ohio) of the entire thorax was performed to assess the coronary tree (Fig. 1), and identified the extension and the relationship of the giant pseudoaneurysm with the other neighbouring structures (Figs. 2 and 3). An infiltration of the sternum for about 7 mm was detected (thick arrows in Figs. 2 and 3). The presence of the AVF was confirmed and its extension to the right atrium was observed as well (thin arrows in Fig. 3). Patient underwent surgical resection of the pseudoaneurysm (Fig. 4) and replacement of the ascending aorta using a Dacron graft (arrowheads in Fig. 4) under deep hypothermia circulatory arrest that was performed before sternotomy to avoid the risk of pseudoaneurysm rupture.

Figure 1.
Figure 1.

Different settings of Maximum Intensity Projections displaying the entire coronary tree: no hemodynamically significant stenoses were found.

Abbreviations. PAn: Pseudoaneurysm; Ao: Ascending Aorta; RCA: Right Coronary Artery; LM: Left Main; CX: Circumflex Coronary Artery; LAD: Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery; D1-2: Diagonal Branch

Citation: Imaging 12, 1; 10.1556/1647.2020.00003

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

Oblique Sagittal Multiplanar Reconstruction and Left Lateral different settings Volume Rendering images defines the extension in its maximum diameters, the partially calcified wall (asterisk [*]), and the relationship of the giant pseudoaneurysm with neighbouring structures: the posterior compression of the ascending aorta, the coarctation-like morphology of the medium tract of aortic arch, the left common carotid artery (thin arrow) arising from the right brachiocefalic trunk, and the infiltration of the sternum (thick arrows).

Abbreviations. PAn: Pseudoaneurysm; RVOT: Right Ventricle Outflow Tract; RA: Right Atrium; RV: Right Ventricle; LIMA: Left Internal Mammary Artery; Ao: Ascending Aorta; LV: Left Ventricle; RCA: Right Coronary Artery

Citation: Imaging 12, 1; 10.1556/1647.2020.00003

Figure 3.
Figure 3.

Maximum Intensity Projections images in a multiplanar approach display the most important findings: infiltration of the sternum (thick arrows) and atrio-ventricular fistula (thin arrows) which arising from the left ventricle, just below the aortic valve and, coursing in the right atrium-ventricular septum, flows right into the right atrial chamber.

Abbreviations. PAn: Pseudoaneurysm; Ao: Ascending Aorta; AoV: Aortic Valve; RV: Right Ventricle; LV: Left Ventricle; RA: Right Atrium; LA: Left Atium

Citation: Imaging 12, 1; 10.1556/1647.2020.00003

Figure 4.
Figure 4.

Maximum Intensity Projections and Volume Rendering post-surgical ECG-gated 64-slice Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography scan images well display the dacron graft of the ascending aorta (arrowheads) after surgical resection of the pseudoaneurysm. Atrio-ventricular fistula (arrow) which arising from the left ventricle, just below the aortic valve and coursing in the right atrium-ventricular septum, flows right into the right atrial chamber

Citation: Imaging 12, 1; 10.1556/1647.2020.00003

Conflict of interest

None.

Funding sources

None.

References

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  • [2]

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  • [3]

    Sullivan KL, Steiner RM, Smullens SN, Griska L, Meister SG: Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta following cardiac surgery. Chest Jan 1988; 93(1): 138143.

    • Crossref
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    • Export Citation
  • [4]

    Kirklin J, Barratt-Boyes B: Cardiac surgery: morphology, diagnostic criteria, natural history, techniques, results, and indications. 2nd ed.: Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1993, pp. 491571.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • [1]

    Roberts WC: Complications of cardiac valve replacement: characteristic abnormalities of prostheses pertaining to any or specific site. Am Heart J. Jan 1982; 103(1): 113122.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • [2]

    Albat B, Leclercq PF, MessnerPellenc P, Missov E, Thevenet P: False aneurysm of the ascending aorta following aortic valve replacement. J Heart Valve Dis. Mar 1994; 3(2): 216219.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • [3]

    Sullivan KL, Steiner RM, Smullens SN, Griska L, Meister SG: Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta following cardiac surgery. Chest Jan 1988; 93(1): 138143.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • [4]

    Kirklin J, Barratt-Boyes B: Cardiac surgery: morphology, diagnostic criteria, natural history, techniques, results, and indications. 2nd ed.: Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1993, pp. 491571.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
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Theodora BENEDEK (University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, Targu Mures, Romania)
Ronny BÜCHEL (University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland)
Filippo CADEMARTIRI (SDN IRCCS, Naples, Italy) Matteo CAMELI (University of Siena, Italy)
Csilla CELENG (University of Utrecht, The Netherlands)
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Marco FRANCONE (La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy)
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Mihaly KÁROLYI (University of Zürich, Switzerland)
Lajos KOZÁK (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
Mariusz KRUK (Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland)
Zsuzsa LÉNARD (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
Erica MAFFEI (ASUR Marche, Urbino, Marche, Italy)
Robert MANKA (University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland)
Saima MUSHTAQ (Cardiology Center Monzino (IRCCS), Milan, Italy)
Gábor RUDAS (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
Balázs RUZSICS (Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital, UK)
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Réka FALUDI (University of Szeged, Hungary)
Andrea Igoren GUARICCI (University of Bari, Italy)
Marco GUGLIELMO (Department of Cardiovascular Imaging, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy)
Kristóf HISRCHBERG (University of Heidelberg, Germany)
Dénes HORVÁTHY (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
Julia KARADY (Harvard Unversity, MA, USA)
Attila KOVÁCS (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
Riccardo LIGA (Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy)
Máté MAGYAR (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
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Özge TOK (Memorial Bahcelievler Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey)
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Semmelweis University, Medical Imaging Centre
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