Computed tomography findings of isolated peripheral pulmonary artery aneurysms

In this study, we aimed to evaluate computed tomography(CT) findings of peripheral pulmonary artery aneurysms(PPAA) associated with Behcet Disease(BD), Hughes Stovin Syndrome(HSS), and idiopathic origin.

Contrast-enhanced CT scans of the patients were retrospectively reviewed regarding PPAA. The patients with PPA were classified into BD, HSS, and idiopathic groups according to the etiology. The groups were compared for demographical features including age and gender, multiplicity, distribution thrombosis and accompanying pulmonary artery embolism(PAE), and deep venous thrombosis(DVT) history.

A total of 30 PPAA (25.4±13.4 (11-62) mm) were detected in 10(2.3%) (mean age 39.8±22-1.0[8-73] years, female/male:3/7) among 4391 patients reviewed. In 7 patients multiple aneurysms were detected while in 3 a solitary lesion was seen. Most commonly lower lobes (right 8-left 8, 53.2%) involvement was observed. A thrombosis was detected within 19(63.4%) aneurysms. Among 10 patients with PPAA 4(40%) ones have BD, 2(20%) HS and 4(40%) idiopathic origin. In 5(50.%) patients there was accompanying PAE and 3 (30%) DVT history. Patients with BD nad HSS tended to have multiple lesions than with idiopathic origin. Accompanying PAE was observed in 2(100%) of HSS, 2(50%) BD, and 1(25%) patient in the idiopathic group. A DVT history was recorded in 2(100%) of HSS, 1(25%) BD. None of in the idiopathic group had a DVT history. The only rupture was observed in the HSS group.

Vasculitic diseases lead to PPAA, including BD and HSS are more likely to be associated with complications and additional morbid conditions than idiopathic processes.