Recurrent aspiration pneumonia associated with giant aortic aneurysm

• Autor(a) principal: Hoff, Leonardo Santos
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Outros Autores: Schestatsky, Pedro
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Clinical and Biomedical Research
• Texto Completo: https://seer.ufrgs.br/index.php/hcpa/article/view/42313
• topic: Aneurisma; Pneumonia Aspirativa; Disfagia; Aneurisma

A 83-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with fever, productive cough and dyspnea. She was previously diagnosed with dementia and systemic hypertension, and was heavy smoker for nearly 50 years. Her relatives reported that in the past four months she was admitted two times for aspiration pneumonia. Chest radiography showed right lower lobe consolidation and a large mediastinal mass (Panel A). A computed tomography angiography revealed a 10,2 cm descending aortic aneurysm compressing the esophagus (Panel B and C). Serologic VDRL test was negative. Esophageal clearance was moderately diminished above the level of the aortic arch, with antiperistaltic contractions, according to videofluoroscopic swallowing study; oropharyngeal dysphagia was also present. The patient was treated for aspiration pneumonia and assessed by cardiovascular surgeons, who decided for a conservative treatment due to the characteristics of the aneurysm and her clinical condition. She was discharged with an optimized treatment for systemic hypertension including beta-blockers, and appropriate diet for dysphagia.