Incidental diagnosis and therapeutic approach of an iatrogenic intra-parenchymal pulmonary intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm: a case report

Abstract

Intercostal artery pseudoaneurysms (IAP) are extremely rare but its sudden rupture represents a life-threatening complication. We report an unusual case of a late intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm, after a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, presenting as a large intra-parenchymal lung mass. Diagnosis was made by biphasic computed tomography angiography and contrast-enhanced pulsed-wave doppler ultrasound. To minimize the risk of aneurysm bleeding immediate angiographic embolization was planned and successfully performed.IAP should be considered in presence of lung mass in patients who have previously undergone an intervention with intercostal approach to prevent life-threatening complications.

Keywords

• Intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm
• iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm
• embolization
• CT angiography