Chronic post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery with tracheal obstruction resulting in repeated pneumonia.

Abstract

Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysms of the brachiocephalic artery are relatively rare. We report the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with a large posttraumatic brachiocephalic aneurysm and recurrent pneumonia. Further examination revealed tracheal obstruction by the aneurysm. The patient underwent aneurysmectomy and ascending aorta-right subclavian artery bypass with retrograde cerebral perfusion under circulatory arrest. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and his respiratory symptoms resolved. The interesting feature of this case is the presenting symptom of recurrent pneumonia, which is an uncommon complication of this type of aneurysm.