Presentation
Cough and right lower zone crackles ? pneumonia or pleural effusion.
Patient Data
Age: 70 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Frontal

Widening of descending thoracic aorta shadow. Abdominal aorta stent graft partially imaged. Stable left lower zone atelectasis. No focal consolidation to suggest pneumonia. Heart size is normal.
From the case:
Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Axial non-contrast

Previous sternotomy and coronary artery graft surgery. Grafts appear densely calcified of the native coronary vessels.
5.4 x 5.7 cm proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Mild cardiomegaly and anemia.
Case Discussion
- thoracic aortic aneurysms are less common than AAA
- descending thoracic aorta is the second most common location (after ascending aorta)
- there is a wide range of causes