An unusual cause of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm: acrylate embolism

Sclerotherapy is commonly used to manage bleeding from oesophageal varices. In a patient with cirrhosis of the liver, sclerotherapy with bucrylate was followed by a pulmonary embolism and then by a decline in general health. A chest radiograph taken 5 months later disclosed a left perihilar opacity, surrounding and invading the pulmonary artery. Despite moderate fixation by positron emission tomography and inconclusive bronchoscopy findings, an upper left lobectomy was deemed in order. A left pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm was found during the surgery. The pseudoaneurysm ruptured during dissection, requiring a left pneumonectomy. The pathological examination showed shredding of the left pulmonary artery, which contained foreign material. At points of contact with this material, destruction and severe polymorphic inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma were noted. There was no evidence of tumour or infection. These findings strongly suggested an iatrogenic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm related to a bucrylate embolism through porto-systemic vascular shunts. We are not aware of previously reported cases.