Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Rasmussen aneurysm with active cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis
- Radiologic Findings
- Chest PA shows multiple cavities with surrounding nodular opacities in both upper lung zones and decreased volume in LUL with pleural thickening
Pre and post contrast-enhanced CT scan shows multiple cavities with nodular opacities in BLL and round, enhancing, 1.4 x 1.1-cm lesion in superior segment of RLL.
- Brief Review
- Rasmussen aneurysm is a rare phenomenon caused by weakening of the pulmonary artery wall from adjacent cavitary tuberculosis. .A review of autopsy findings in patients with a history of chronic cavitary tuberculosis showed a 5% prevalence of Rasmussen aneurysm. Hemoptysis is the usual presenting symptom and may be life-threatening when it is massive. Progressive weakening of the arterial wall occurs as granulation tissue replaces both the adventitia and the media. The granulation tissue in the vessel wall is then gradually replaced by fibrin, resulting in thinning of the arterial wall, pseudoaneurysm formation, and subsequent rupture.
- Please refer to
Case 193, Case 332, -
- References
- 1. Kim HY, Song KS, Goo JM, Lee JS, Lee KS, Lim TH. Thoracic sequelae and complications of tuberculosis. Radiographics 2001;21(4):839-58
- Keywords
- Vascular, Lung, Vascular, Bacterial infection, Tuberculosis,