Bronchial artery aneurysm

Two patients with bronchial artery aneurysm were surgically treated. One patient had a saccular aneurysm in the root of the left bronchial artery, and the other had a mediastinal as well as an intrapulmonary aneurysm, rupture of the latter of which had resulted in massive hemoptysis. Twelve reports of bronchial artery aneurysm have appeared in the literature to date. Those of mediastinal location frequently have symptoms mimicking dissecting aortic aneurysm, whereas their intrapulmonary counterparts usually are manifested by hemoptysis. Although its etiological process remains to be elucidated, this rare entity should be recognized in the clinical practice.