Hybrid treatment of an isolated immunoglobulin G4-related internal thoracic artery aneurysm

Abstract

True aneurysms of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) are rare and are associated with vasculitides, connective tissue diseases, and infections. We report a case of a 3-cm immunoglobulin G4-positive ITA aneurysm that was excised by a hybrid approach involving open ligation of the ITA origin and video-assisted thoracoscopic aneurysmectomy. This novel technique was able to acquire tissue for histopathologic diagnosis through a minimally invasive means. Keywords: Pseudoaneurysm, IgG4, Hybrid, Internal mammary artery, Internal thoracic artery