Rare Cause of Dyspnea: Yin–Yang Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

• DOI: 10.1007/s00408-013-9548-3
• Publication Date: 2014-01-04T09:23:19Z
• Authors: Princy Ghera; Don Hayes
• Keywords: Aged, 80 and over; Time Factors; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Rupture; Aortography; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Dyspnea; Fatal Outcome; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Predictive Value of Tests; Humans; Female; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aortic aneurysmal diseases, mostly found incidentally, have high mortality and morbidity. Complications mostly are associated with and accelerated in the presence of systemic hypertension, aortic valve disease, or aortic atherosclerosis. Presenting signs and symptoms can be nonspecific and need immediate and accurate recognition. We present a case of incidental finding of a large descending aortic aneurysm with "yin-yang" sign and discuss the importance of differentiating pseudoaneurysm versus intramural thrombus.