Aortic coarctation in the presence of capillary hemangioma

İrfan Taşoğlu1, Kanat Özışık, Şeref Alp Küçüker

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. irfantasoglu@yahoo.com

Insights

Posterior mediastinal hemangioma, a rare tumor, can mimic aortic coarctation. This case highlights the importance of considering hemangioma in diagnosing aortic coarctation, especially in younger patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital narrowing of the aorta.
  • Mediastinal masses can present with various cardiovascular complications.
  • Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that can occur in various locations.

Observation:

  • A 14-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of aortic coarctation.
  • Imaging revealed an extensive hemangioma involving the thoracic aorta.
  • The patient had complex coarctation of the aorta.

Findings:

  • Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) identified mediastinal hemangioma and aortic coarctation.
  • Surgical intervention included an extra-anatomical bypass from the ascending to the descending aorta.
  • Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hemangioma.

Implications:

  • Mediastinal hemangiomas are a rare but critical differential diagnosis for coarctation of the aorta.
  • Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for patients with this rare association.
  • This case underscores the need for comprehensive evaluation in complex pediatric cardiovascular cases.

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