Prenatal Diagnosis of Ductus Arteriosus Aneurysms and Neonatal Outcome: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

Ductus arteriosus aneurysm is a rare condition characterized by a saccular or tubular dilatation of the ductus with potentially fatal outcome due to complications such as rupture, thromboembolism, and infection, compression of adjacent structures and coarctation of the aorta [1]. Association with connective tissue disorders such as Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are also described [2,3]. Therefore, we aimed to describe two recent cases of aneurysm of ductus arteriosus assessed by fetal echocardiography and their neonatal outcomes.

Incidentally identified ductus arteriosus aneurysm in eight adults: a case series

Ductus arteriosus aneurysm (DAA) in adulthood is a rare entity. We retrospectively reviewed our medical records from the past ten years and identified eight cases of adult DAA (six males and two females aged between 69 and 89 years; mean, 76 years), using multi planar reconstruction and three-dimensional reconstruction computed tomography (CT) images. The aneurysm was suspected incidentally in all cases based on the results of chest radiographic screening or postoperative follow-up CT for lung or colon cancer. All eight patients were asymptomatic but had a history of or concurrent hypertension (n = 5, 62.5%), diabetes mellitus (n = 3, 37.5%), cerebrovascular disease (n = 3, 37.5%), ischemic heart disease (n = 1, 12.5%), and cardiac failure (n = 1). All patients had no history of trauma (n = 8, 100%). Six had a history of cigarette smoking. The aneurysm size ranged from 2.0 × 4.0 to 6.3 × 5.3 cm (mean, 3 × 5 cm). The surgical procedures used were four cases of total arch replacement and two cases of thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Two patients were not surgically treated. The median follow-up was 14.5 months (range, 2 months to 9 years). In the two patients who were not surgically treated, the aneurysm enlarged in one, and remained unchanged in the other. Of the six cases surgically-managed cases, one was lost to follow-up, and another patient died of an unrelated cause. The remaining four cases had no enlargement of the aneurysm. No ruptures were reported in any of the cases. DAA should be considered when a saccular aneurysm is located in the minor curvature of the aortic arch and extending toward the left pulmonary trunk in adult patients. Differentiating adult DAA is important, because it is associated with a high risk of rupture due to the fragile nature of true aneurysms.

Congenital ductus arteriosus aneurysm in association with MYH11 mutation: a case report

Congenital ductus arteriosus aneurysms develop in the third trimester of fetal life, possibly due to abnormal intimal cushion formation or elastin expression in the ductal wall. It is often diagnosed in infants before 2 months of age. Most have a benign course and resolve spontaneously. However, life-threatening complications have been reported. We report a case of large ductal aneurysm diagnosed incidentally in a neonate, in whom there was a novel mutation in the smooth muscle myosin protein gene—MYH11.