Unruptured, isolated giant aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva resulting from medial mucoid degeneration

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009 Jun;15(3):203-5.

Abstract

We report a quite rare case of unruptured, isolated giant aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva resulting from medial mucoid degeneration in a young adult woman. A 29-year-old Japanese female diagnosed as having an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva and severe aortic regurgitation with no clinical findings of Marfan's syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. A modified Bentall's operation was performed successfully, and she was discharged with no complications. A pathological examination revealed marked medial mucoid degeneration of the aneurismal wall. In the literature, most giant aneurysms resulting from mucoid degeneration were found in African young adult females. In this case, there was much mucoid degeneration in the media with no focal destruction of elastic fibers, which was distinct from cystic medial necrosis in Marfan's syndrome. A careful follow-up will be required to detect any other aneurysmal formation in the future.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aortic Aneurysm / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm / metabolism
  • Aortic Aneurysm / pathology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / surgery
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / pathology
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / surgery
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Humans
  • Mucins / analysis*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sinus of Valsalva / chemistry
  • Sinus of Valsalva / pathology*
  • Sinus of Valsalva / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tunica Media / chemistry
  • Tunica Media / pathology*

Substances

  • Mucins