A Case of True Atherosclerotic Intercostal Aneurysm Diagnosed by Medical Examination / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Intercostal artery aneurysm is a rare disease, and is usually associated with aortic coarctation, trauma and infection. Until recently, diagnosis of the aneurysm had not been possible before rupture of aneurysm. However, recent advances in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have made it possible to diagnose this lesion. A 68-year-old man was admitted with an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film. A chest CT scan showed an aneurysm beside the descending aorta, suggestive of intercostal artery aneurysm. Intraoperative inspection confirmed the diagnosis. The aneurysm was shown to be atherosclerotic in origin by postoperative histological examination.