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A calcified vascular mediastinal mass.
S L Ferrante1, J W Gurney, J S Schreiman
1Department of Radiology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
|October 1, 1989
Summary
A rare late post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta was incidentally found in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage. This condition, potentially suspected on chest X-rays, requires advanced imaging for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Trauma Medicine
Background:
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage following trauma can obscure other serious injuries.
- Thoracic aortic injuries are critical and require timely diagnosis.
- Pseudoaneurysms represent a delayed complication of vascular trauma.
Observation:
- An incidental finding of a calcified vascular mediastinal mass was noted.
- The patient presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage from a motorcycle accident.
- The mass was identified as a late post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta.
Findings:
- Calcified vascular mediastinal masses may be initially suspected on chest roentgenograms.
- Aortography is a key diagnostic tool for confirming aortic pseudoaneurysms.
- Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging aid in diagnosis when initial imaging is unclear.
Implications:
- Early recognition of chronic pseudoaneurysms is crucial for patient management.
- This case highlights the importance of considering delayed vascular complications after trauma.
- Accurate diagnosis through advanced imaging prevents misidentification of pseudoaneurysms as other mediastinal masses.