Int J Angiol 2012; 21(03): 151-154
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315632
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Respecting Symptoms in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Management: A Case of Symptomatic Necrotizing Granulomatous Aortitis

Gregory A. Kuzmik
1   Aortic Institute, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
,
Adam X. Sang
1   Aortic Institute, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
,
Guoping Cai
2   Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
,
Maryann Tranquilli
1   Aortic Institute, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
,
John A. Elefteriades
1   Aortic Institute, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 June 2012 (online)

Abstract

A 41-year-old woman presented with chest pain of unclear etiology in the setting of a mildly dilated ascending aorta. Computed tomography angiography showed an aorta with an irregular contour and an aneurysm of 4.5 cm. There was no radiographic evidence of rupture or dissection. The patient was taken to the operating room and was found to have severe aortitis with marked localized wall thinning at imminent risk of aortic rupture. Aortic pathology demonstrated necrotizing granulomas of noninfectious etiology. This case illustrates the importance of respecting symptoms in surgical decision making for thoracic aortic aneurysms that may not meet standard interventional criteria.

 
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