Bronchiectasis due to pulmonary artery aneurysm

Endovascular treatment for massive haemoptysis due to pulmonary pseudoaneurysm: report of 23 cases

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment for massive haemoptysis caused by pulmonary pseudoaneurysm (PAP).

METHODS

The clinical data, imaging data, and endovascular treatment protocol of 23 patients with massive haemoptysis caused by continuous PAP were retrospectively analysed. The success, complications, postoperative recurrence rate, and influence of the treatment on pulmonary artery pressure were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with a bronchial artery-pulmonary artery (BA-PA) and/or nonbronchial systemic artery-pulmonary artery (NBSA-PA) fistula underwent bronchial artery embolization (BAE) and/or nonbronchial systemic artery embolization (NBSAE) + pulmonary artery embolization (PAE). The pulmonary artery (PA) pressures before and after embolization were 52.11 ± 2.12 (35-69 cmH2O) and 33.58 ± 1.63 (22-44 cmH2O), respectively (P = 0.001). Four patients did not have a BA-PA and/or NBSA-PA fistula. Embolization was performed in two patients with a distal PAP of the pulmonalis lobar arteria. Bare stent-assisted microcoils embolization was performed in the other two patients with a PAP of the main pulmonary lobar arteries. The PA pressures of the four patients before and after treatment were 24.50 ± 1.32 (22-28 cmH2O) and 24.75 ± 1.70 (22-29 cmH2O), respectively (P = 0.850). The technique had a 100% success rate with no serious complications and a postoperative recurrence rate of 30%.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment is safe and effective for massive haemoptysis caused by PAP. BAE and/or NBSAE can effectively reduce pulmonary hypertension in patients with a BA-PA and/or NBSA-PA fistula.

A Rare Case of Peripheral Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm and Cavitating Pneumonia in a Patient with COVID-19 Managed with an Endovascular Method

Peripheral pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA), being a rare condition, is considered extremely rare following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We present a 58-year-old male who presented with fever, malaise, and dry cough. SARS-CoV-RNA transcription-mediated amplification test was positive for the patient. After 2 days, he developed hemoptysis and back pain, and a CT scan revealed a pulmonary aneurysm, evidence of alveolar hemorrhage, and Necrotizing pneumonia. He was scheduled for pulmonary artery angiography. The angiography confirmed a fusiform aneurysm and partial coiling of the aneurysmal sac, and indoor and backdoor embolization was performed. In the follow-up, a CT scan showed complete thrombosis of the aneurysmal sac, and the patient was free of symptoms. Peripheral PAAs can show a variety of symptoms. They can even be asymptomatic. The infectious pathologies of this condition are less common than the other. COVID-19 is an extremely rare pathology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of necrotizing pneumonia and peripheral PPA in an adult. Moreover, it was followed by COVID-19. A vital takeaway note for physicians is to consider PAAs as a complication when treating COVID-19 patients who don't show signs of improvement or even show signs of exacerbation.

A 58-Year-Old Woman With a History of Cardiac Myxoma Presents With Pulmonary Nodules

CASE PRESENTATION

A 58-year-old woman presented to a pulmonology clinic for evaluation of bilateral pulmonary nodules. Two years previously, she had presented with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. During evaluation for her tachyarrhythmia, transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed a large, homogenous, highly mobile right atrial and ventricular mass. She underwent electrophysiologic ablation, tricuspid valve annular ring replacement, and resection of the mass, which pathology confirmed to be a myxoma. Now, a recent abdomen and pelvis CT study obtained for history of nephrolithiasis incidentally noted bilateral lower lobe pulmonary nodules. Follow-up noncontrast chest CT confirmed bilateral peribronchovascular solid pulmonary nodules up to 8 mm in diameter throughout all lobes. The nodules appeared contiguous with the segmental and subsegmental bronchovascular bundles, and many occurred at branch points. There was no mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. To evaluate the pulmonary nodules, she was referred to a pulmonology clinic. She reported only stable, nonlimiting dyspnea on exertion. She did not have a cough. She denied a history of fevers, weight loss, or night sweats. She had no rash or skin changes, visual changes, joint pain or swelling, or palpitations. She had no history of oropharyngeal or genital ulcerations. Social history was notable for a 40-pack-year smoking history, with quit date 2 years prior. She had no risk factors for TB exposure and no exposures to sandblasting, stone cutting, or other environmental risk factors for silicosis. Family history was negative for autoimmune conditions, sarcoidosis, and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Surgical repair of a giant pulmonary artery aneurysm that caused severe left bronchial obstruction

A 63-year-old woman on oral steroids for systemic lupus erythematosus presented with a giant pulmonary artery aneurysm severely compressing the left main bronchus and lung. Her presenting symptom was severe respiratory distress. Surgical graft replacement of the main and branch pulmonary arteries was performed, and her respiratory function improved dramatically. Bronchial obstruction was resolved immediately after the procedure.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm: a review

Pulmonary artery aneurysm is a rare but important entity in the spectrum of pulmonary vascular diseases. The etiologies can be varied and patients can present with non-specific symptoms with the diagnosis being incidental. There is limited consensus regarding the diagnostic criteria and follow-up imaging for patients diagnosed with this entity. Further the management strategies can be variable depending upon underlying disease, etiology, center dependent expertise, and resources available. We review the etiologies, epidemiology, classification, clinical manifestations, and imaging features of pulmonary artery aneurysm. We also review the current management strategies and suggest an algorithmic approach to these patients.

Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Complications in Behçet's Syndrome

We described disease characteristics, management and outcome of a group of Behçet's syndrome (BS) patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy, segmentectomy or various pleura interventions for complications due to pulmonary artery or descending aorta involvement. There were 9 patients with BS (8 M/1 F; mean age: 24.8 ± 7.5 and mean disease duration: 4.3 ± 3.8 years) who underwent lung surgery from 2000 to 2017. Their medical files including operation details and radiological and pathological studies were reviewed retrospectively. Lobectomy was done in 6 patients, decortications and pleura interventions in the remaining 3. The reason for the surgical procedures were giant pulmonary arterial aneurysms refractory to the medical treatment (n = 4), pneumothorax due to large cavities (n = 2), pleural effusions refractory to the medical treatment (n = 1), a bronchopleural fistula after embolization (n = 1) and bronchiectasis (n = 1). All patients received medical treatment with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids before the surgical interventions. The histological examination in patients with pseudo-aneurysms showed destruction of medial elastic fibers, inflammatory cell infiltration of adventitial tissues and penetration into the adjacent bronchi with adherent thrombi. Two patients died: one due to Budd-Chiari syndrome 1 year after the surgery, another because of a massive hemoptysis 3 months after lobectomy. The remaining 7 patients are still alive with a median follow-up of 8 years (inter-quartile range [IQR]: 4-11). Lobectomies in BS patients with giant pulmonary aneurysms refractory to medical treatment can be done with favorable outcome. Also, complications such as large cavities causing pneumothorax, refractory pleural effusions, bronchiectasis, and embolization complications can be managed effectively with surgical interventions.

Pulmonary artery aneurysms: diagnosis & endovascular therapy

Pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAAs) and pseudoaneurysms are rare entities in the spectrum of pulmonary arterial diseases. The etiology of these aneurysms is varied and patients present with nonspecific symptoms which make their diagnosis both difficult and less often considered. In this review, we will discuss the clinical manifestations, etiologies, methods of detection, imaging features, and the current role of endovascular treatment in the management of PAAs.

Bronchiectasis due to an Ectopic Right Pulmonary Artery and Compression of the Superior Vena Cava between an Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Enlarged Right Pulmonary Artery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to report multidetector computed tomography (CT) imaging findings relating to segmental pulmonary arterial ectasia (PAE), which is a very rare vascular condition.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

A 70-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath and increased production of purulent sputum. Chest CT angiography revealed bronchiectasis secondary to compression of the anterior segment bronchus of the right upper lobe because of a segmental PAE. She also had compression of the superior vena cava between an ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm and an ectopic enlarged right pulmonary artery. Conventional right upper lobectomy and angioplasty were planned, but the patient refused surgical therapy.

CONCLUSION

This report shows the importance of CT angiography in a case that involved an unusual coincidence of segmental PAE and ascending aortic aneurysm.