Causes Of Horner Syndrome

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs when an area in the upper part of the aorta, located in the chest, is weakened and balloons in size. Patients with this condition may not experience any symptoms if the aneurysm is small. Larger aneurysms could produce symptoms such as back pain, coughing, hoarseness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Thoracic aortic aneurysms are often discovered during routine imaging studies conducted for another reason. For example, they may be detected if the patient has a chest x-ray, echocardiogram, CT scan, or MRI scan. To treat small aneurysms, doctors may choose to regularly monitor their growth with frequent scans. Surgery might be suggested for aneurysms larger than 1.9 inches. Sometimes, an aneurysm could rupture, leading to potentially life-threatening complications. Possible signs of a ruptured aneurysm could include swallowing difficulties, sudden and intense chest or back pain, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, and weakness along one side of the body. Emergency medical care should be sought for patients with these symptoms, and emergency surgery may be required.

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