ABSTRACT
Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms (PAPs) are uncommon but associated with high mortality.
Left untreated, lesions can enlarge, rupture, and lead to exsanguination and death.
Presentations range from life-threatening hemorrhage to silent lesions that enlarge
for days, months, or years. Because abnormalities on imaging studies can lead to early
diagnosis and treatment and embolization is the treatment of choice, the radiologist
can contribute to both timely diagnosis and treatment of PAPs. Pseudoaneurysms due
to penetrating trauma, blunt trauma, bacterial endocarditis, and complications related
to pulmonary artery catheters and right heart catheterization are presented. Three
were treated by embolization.
KEYWORDS
Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm
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Marc A BorgeM.D.
Department of Radiology, Loyola University Medical Center
2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153
