Cor Vasa 2015, 57(5):e377-e380 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2014.12.001

Left main bronchus compression by massive thoracic aorta aneurysm as a cause of dyspnea

Milan Sova^a,*, Filip Čtvrtlík^b, Irena Kuca^c, Vítězslav Kolek^a

^a Klinika plicních nemocí a tuberkulózy, Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci a Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc, Olomouc, Česká republika

^b Radiologická klinika, Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci a Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc, Olomouc, Česká republika

^c Saba University School of Medicine, Saba, Karibské Nizozemsko, Nizozemsko

In the past, thoracic aorta aneurysms were common findings, especially in the older population. With the development of imaging methods and surgical treatment, the diagnosis can now be made earlier, revealing the condition at an earlier stage. However, even today we see patients, mainly the elderly, with huge thoracic aorta aneurysms. Because of ambiguous radiological findings, this condition can be initially misdiagnosed as mediastinal tumors. In this case report is presented a case of such thoracic aorta aneurysm which caused dyspnea by left main bronchus compression. The purpose of this report is to highlight thoracic aortic aneurysms as a potential rare cause of dyspnea and cough.

Keywords: Dyspnea; Main bronchus compression; Thoracic aorta aneurysm

Received: October 16, 2014; Revised: November 25, 2014; Accepted: December 1, 2014; Published: October 1, 2015  Show citation