Pitfalls in the diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysm by transesophageal echocardiography

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1990 Mar-Apr;3(2):145-8. doi: 10.1016/s0894-7317(14)80509-9.

Abstract

A 74-year-old man underwent transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate the possibility of dissection of the descending aorta. The study demonstrated a round lumen that contained an echogenic mass mimicking aortic aneurysm with thrombus. However, computerized tomographic scanning identified the lumen as the pleural cavity containing a collapsed lung. The esophagus was on the right side of the spine, and the transesophageal technique could not visualize the descending aorta.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aorta, Thoracic
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler
  • Esophagus
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pleura / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleura / pathology
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed