Aneurysm of the nonpatent ductus arteriosus in the adult--a report of the case and review of the literature

Aneurysm of the ductus arterious in adult in rare. 28 cases have been previously reported in the Japanese literature. A new 73-year-old male case, preoperatively diagnosed and successfully repaired, are presented. The patient with hoarseness was admitted to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced CT scans and aortograms made a diagnosis for the aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus. Operation was done through left thoracotomy with the aid of partial cardiopulmonary bypass. The pulmonary arterial end of the ductus arteriosus was closed and a Ligamentum arteriosus was identified. A 3 by 2.7 cm saccular aneurysm was resected and segmental replacement of the aorta with woven dacron graft was performed. Because of it's critical location and the high incidence of complications, aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus in the adult should be surgically corrected when diagnosed.