Pseudoaneurysm of an Internal Mammary Artery Due to Tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis is the most common pulmonary infection in developing countries. Vascular complications are known to occur as a part of disease progression. Aneurysm associated with internal mammary artery can be true aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm. Pseudoaneurysm of the internal mammary artery can be due to invasive procedures or as a part of infective etiology. Tuberculosis destroys the wall of blood vessels leading to the formation of pseudoaneurysm. Early identification and intervention of pseudoaneurysm will avoid complications of hemorrhage, hemothorax, and hemorrhagic shock. We present a case of tuberculous empyema that causes pseudoaneurysm of an internal mammary artery managed with coil embolization along with antituberculous treatment.

Keywords

• coil embolization; internal mammary artery; minimally invasive procedure; pseudoaneurysm; tuberculosis