Bronchial Fissuring: A Severe Complication of Arterial Aneurysm

Abstract

Arterial aneurysms are rare and may occur in the context of Behçet's disease. The natural progression of these aneurysms can lead to an increase in their size and eventual rupture into the bronchi, causing life-threatening hemoptysis. We report a case of a subclavian artery aneurysm in a 30-year-old female patient with Behçet's disease who presented with moderate hemoptysis caused by a fistulized left subclavian artery aneurysm into the left main bronchus. The patient was treated with a bolus of corticosteroids followed by oral therapy, and six boluses of cyclophosphamide were scheduled. Unfortunately, the patient's condition deteriorated, and she died after her second cycle of cyclophosphamide following fulminant hemoptysis. The management of aneurysms in Behçet's disease is not standardized, but embolization appears to be the most promising conservative therapy.