Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) is defined as pulmonary artery diameter of greater
than 4 cm. PAA is not frequently encountered in clinical practice. There is a rare
report in giant low-pressure PAA in terms of long-term follow-up. Herein, we sought
to report a case of idiopathic PAA that was followed for 12 years in view of its learning
points and to review the current literature for PAA. Herein we observed learning points
according to long-term follow-up of PAA case as follows. PAA progressed dramatically
after reaching a diameter greater than 6 cm and resulted in 7.87 cm in 2 years according
to our case observation. Pericardial effusion may develop after a dramatic increase
of PAA diameter. The reason for pericardial effusion is not always dissection or rupture;
the presence of pericardial effusion possibly stemmed from the impairment of lymphatic
drainage because of pressure effect on lymphatic circulation. Progressive increase
of dilatation may lead to cough, as in our case.
Keywords
pulmonary artery - aneurysm - pericardial effusion
