A Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm from a Locally Advanced Lung Cancer: A Case Report

Background: Pseudoaneurysms or false arterial aneurysms are infrequent complications that result from direct injury to the vascular wall leading to a single-layer hematoma. The formation of a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to an adjacent lung neoplasm is a rare occurrence.Presentation of Case: We report a patient who developed a pseudoaneurysm of his left pulmonary artery from an infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.Conclusion: Despite the relative infrequency, the presence of a pulmonary pseudoaneurysm secondary to a lung cancer continues to have a high mortality. The aneurysm was managed with an endovascular stent with the goal of hemorrhage control. Unfortunately, the presence of the pseudoaneurysm in the context of his rapidly growing squamous cell carcinoma made the patient no longer a candidate for curative surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. After a long discussion on the patient’s wishes and goals of care, he decided for palliative care measures. He was sent home with home oxygen and community supports in order to spend the remaining days with his family

The Assessment of Anemia From Attenuation Values of Cranial Venous Drainage on Unenhanced Computed Tomography of the Head

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if prediction of anemia is possible from quantitative analyses of unenhanced cranial computed tomography (CT) images.MethodsA retrospective chart review revealed 101 patients who had hemoglobin and hematocrit levels obtained within 24 hours of an unenhanced cranial CT. Regions of interest were the place on the torcular Herophili (confluence of sinuses) and the left and right transverse sinuses. Attenuation values were correlated with hemoglobin and hematocrit to investigate any possible relationship.ResultsHemoglobin levels were correlated with torcular and transverse sinus attenuation levels. For every 10 Hounsfield unit (HU) increase in torcular attenuation, hemoglobin levels increased by 16.3 g/L (P < .001). When subgroup analysis was performed, by sex, for every 10 HU increase in torcular attenuation, hemoglobin levels increased by 22.6 g/L (P < .001) in men and 8.96 g/L (P < .05) in women.ConclusionThe attenuation values for venous drainage on unenhanced cranial CT constitute a practical adjunct in the assessment of anemia. Given the number of individuals undergoing CT without blood work, this rapid assessment technique for anemia is a convenient means for narrowing possible diagnoses