An unusual cause of mediastinal widening: bilateral innominate vein aneurysms

Abstract

We present a case of aneurysm of bilateral innominate veins and vena cava superior. Chest X-ray, computed tomography, and 3D contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography findings are described. The etiology of venous aneurysms is reviewed and clinical management options are discussed.

Pulmonary and Vascular Manifestations of Behçet Disease: Imaging Findings

“…Venous aneurysms in patients with Behçet disease in the absence of predisposing factors, such as trauma or other inflammatory disorders, are extremely rare [8]. We reported a case of bilateral venous aneurysms in a patient who was diagnosed with Behçet disease 3 years after our report was published [9] (Fig. 2).…”

Superficial Venous Aneurysm

“…They can be congenital in origin or acquired secondary to trauma, inflammation, and degenerative change in the vessel wall or increased pressure within the vascular system. 10 Schatz and Fine 11 believed endophlebohypertrophy to be an important factor in the development of venous aneurysms, with increased venous outflow leading to early hypertrophy of a vein wall, followed by dilatation and sclerosis. Other reports have mentioned congenital weakness or degenerative changes in the venous wall due to conjunctive tissue alterations.…”

Left Innominate Vein Aneurysm Finding during Pacemaker Lead Insertion

“…Diagnosis is often incidental, usually as casual finding of mediastinal widening in a chest X‐ray, or after a chest CT scan 4–6 . Some cases of surgical finding have been documented.…”