A case report of surgical treatment for aneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery associated with tracheal stenosis

: A 76-year-old woman, diagnosed with aneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery thirteen years ago, encountered tracheostenosis due to tracheal compression induced by an increase in size of the aneurysm. Complete aneurysmectomy with graft replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass failed to improve the bronchostenosis. This was attributed to tracheomalacia developed as a result of malatic tracheal cartilages. On day 14 post operation, external fixation of the trachea with an autografted costa relieved her condition markedly. Aneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery is rare and asymptomatical. As such, the present case report suggests that patients with such a aneurysm should be promptly operated to present both the risk of arterial rupture and unfavorable compression of adjacent organs.