Aortitis masquerading as intramural hematoma: When to observe, when to operate? A case report. J Card Surg 2021 Apr;36(4):1554-1556
Date
01/28/2021Pubmed ID
33502772DOI
10.1111/jocs.15348Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85099926135 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
Radiologic evidence of aortic disease is not always consistent with the diagnosis. With a lack of accompanying symptoms or with an atypical presentation, diagnosis, and management of aortic pathology rely greatly on imaging techniques. We report the case of a 58-year-old female who presented with incidental radiographic findings consistent with a type A aortic intramural hematoma and a vague left-sided chest discomfort. After follow-up, imaging was consistent with disease progression and hematoma expansion; the affected segment was resected and pathology reported lymphoplasmacytic aortitis as the underlying etiology of the imaging findings rather than an intramural hematoma. The patient lacked symptoms or serology consistent with the rheumatologic disease, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The management of a suspected ascending intramural hematoma is controversial, especially when the patient presents with atypical signs and symptoms. Features of disease progression may warrant urgent surgical intervention.
Author List
Velez AK, Etchill E, Halushka MK, Schena SAuthor
Stefano Schena MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AortaAortic Diseases
Aortitis
Diagnostic Imaging
Female
Hematoma
Humans
Middle Aged