Complex aortic-arch pseudoaneurysm with aorto-innominate vein fistula in a case of traumatic chest injury

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Mar 22;17(3):e260184. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2024-260184.

Abstract

A patient in his late 30s presented with issues of retrosternal chest pain and palpitations. He had sustained a splinter injury to the left hemithorax a year ago for which he had been managed with a tube thoracostomy. During subsequent evaluations, he was found to have atrial fibrillations and a CT angiography revealed an arch of the aorta pseudoaneurysm with a fistulous communication with the innominate vein, which being a rare condition has no established treatment protocols. Endovascular salvage of the condition required an aortic Ishimaru zone 2 deployment of the thoracic endovascular aortic repair stent graft to provide an adequate landing zone. The elective left subclavian artery revascularisation was obtained by a left carotid artery to left subclavian artery bypass. Post procedure there was complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm sac, and the fistulous aorto-venous communication inflow tract. The patient recuperated well and has returned to full active duties.

Keywords: Arteries; Vascular surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, False* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False* / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False* / surgery
  • Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta, Thoracic / injuries
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* / surgery
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Brachiocephalic Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Brachiocephalic Veins / surgery
  • Endovascular Procedures*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Stents
  • Thoracic Injuries* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome