Swiss Atherothrombosis Survey: a field report on the occurrence of symptomatic and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the Ankle/Brachial Pressure Index (ABI) for its suitability in daily practice to identify patients at atherothrombotic risk. To collect data on the prevalence of atherothrombotic events [coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA)], of 'hidden' (asymptomatic) versus 'known' (symptomatic) peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and treatment in the general practice population. DESIGN: Field survey from everyday Swiss practice. On five consecutive workdays, 276 doctors documented all patients, recording gender, age, history of atherothrombotic events, risk factors and family history. In the case of a previous stroke/TIA and/or CAD, or two or more risk factors were present at age >55, the ABI was determined. A total of 25,351 patients were included and 3921 ABI measurements were performed in eligible patients. SETTING: Practices of primary care doctors. PARTICIPANTS: All patients who visited one of the 276 participating doctors on one of five consecutive workdays were included in the survey. INTERVENTION: Data recording and measurement of the ABI on those patients who qualified. RESULTS: Of the patients 3.7% had symptomatic PAD. An additional 2.7% of hitherto asymptomatic patients were identified as being at high atherothrombotic risk by having an ABI value <0.9. Exactly 93.9% of the participating doctors considered the ABI measurement easy to incorporate into the diagnostic routine of patients presenting with risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The ABI measurement is an easy-to-use, noninvasive and reliable means to identify patients at risk of atherothrombotic events. Identification of asymptomatic PAD leads to intensified targeted prophylactic atherothrombotic treatment that can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in acutely ill medical patients: definite need for improvement.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To examine the frequency and adequacy of thromboprophylaxis in acutely ill medical patients hospitalized in eight Swiss medical hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1372 patients from eight Swiss hospitals was carried out. After exclusion of patients (275) given therapeutic anticoagulation, 1097 patients were audited. The adequacy of thromboprophylaxis was assessed by comparison with predefined explicit criteria. RESULTS: Of 1097 patients, 542 (49.4%) received thromboprophylaxis. According to the explicit criteria, 644 (58.7%) should have been on prophylaxis (P < 0.001, when compared with the rate observed). The rate of prevention differed widely between hospitals (from 29.4 to 88.6%) with no difference between teaching and nonteaching hospitals. According to the explicit criteria, a substantial proportion (44.9%) of the patients who should have been treated were not. Conversely, 41.3% of the patients were unnecessarily treated. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the appropriateness of the explicit criteria used could be challenged, our data suggest that the current practice is associated with important uncertainty leading to both overuse and underuse of thromboprophylaxis in patients hospitalized in medical wards. More efforts are urgently needed to develop new or endorse existing explicit, evidence-based criteria and guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in this population of patients.

Increased prevalence of perennial allergic rhinitis in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Impaired nasal breathing is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether atopy to perennial allergens and existence of perennial allergic rhinitis was a risk factor for OSAS. METHODS: In a case-control study, we compared the proportions of OSAS patients with atopy to perennial allergens and perennial allergic rhinitis to the proportions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Seventy-two OSAS patients (mean age 60.7 years; 79.4% male) and 44 COPD patients (mean age 63.6 years; 88.6% male) were selected from a hospital outpatients' clinic in Switzerland. All patients completed a respiratory symptom questionnaire, performed spirometry and had a skin prick test for atopy. RESULTS: OSAS patients were significantly heavier than COPD patients (BMI 32.4 +/- (SD) 6.6 vs. 29.2 +/- 6.6 kg/m2, p = 0.04) and had a better lung function than COPD patients (FEV1% predicted 91.3 +/- 19.2 vs. 51.6 +/- 18.9%, p < 0.001). Patients with OSAS were more likely to be sensitized to perennial allergens such as house dust mite (23.6 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.009) and dog (18 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.04) than the COPD patients. Perennial allergic rhinitis (having nose problems [nasal obstruction and/or runny nose and/or sneezing] all year and being atopic to at least one perennial allergen) was reported in 11% of OSAS patients but in only 2.3% of COPD patients (p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: We conclude that subjects with OSAS may have an increased risk of being allergic to perennial allergens and suffer from perennial rhinitis. Awareness of this risk may have important consideration in the clinical situation.

Long-term results of percutaneous thrombo-embolectomy in patients with infrainguinal embolic occlusions.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to review early and long term clinical results of percutaneous thrombo-embolectomy in patients with acute embolic occlusions of the infrainguinal arteries. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of consecutive cases. A total of 88 procedures in 84 patients were performed between 1986 and 1996 in a University Hospital (46 men, 42 women; mean age 67.6 +/- 14.4 years). Patients with a history of chronic symptomatic arterial occlusive disease were not included in the analysis. Indications for treatment were severe claudication (n = 45 procedures) and limb threatening ischaemia (n = 43 procedures). Percutaneous thrombo-embolectomy was performed via an ipsilateral approach by means of an end hole aspiration catheter. Local thrombolysis or balloon angioplasty was used as appropriate during the intervention. Follow-up included clinical data, ankle pressure measurements, pulse volume recordings and duplex sonography or angiography if indicated. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 85 (96.6%) of the 88 procedures. Two patients (2.3%) suffered major and two patients (2.3%) minor complications. One patient died within 30 days after the procedure. Mean follow-up was 3.7 +/- 2.9 years. Twelve patients (16%) were lost to follow-up. Primary clinical success rate was 88.4% at one and 81.7% at two years and declined to 76.5% at eight years. Out of the 16 interval failures 10 (63%) were due to recurrent embolism to the same leg. They resulted in nine catheter reinterventions and one bypass graft. Six patients were treated conservatively. Cumulative mortality was 11.7% at one year and increased to 29.5% at eight years. CONCLUSIONS: From our single centre experience we conclude that catheter treatment of acute embolic occlusion of infrainguinal arteries is safe and has favourable long-term RESULTS. We therefore regard the technique as a less invasive alternative to surgery.

[When is interventional therapy necessary for carotid stenosis?]. / Wann muss eine Karotisstenose interventionell behandelt werden?

Stenoses of the internal carotid artery are common. 20-30% of ischaemic cerebrovascular events are due to atherosclerotic lesions of carotid arteries. For many years endarterectomy has been a method for prevention of cerebral ischaemia. There is confusion about how carotid stenosis should be measured on angiograms. Since the results of clinical trials based on different measurement methods are applied to routine clinical practice, the various measurement methods must be comparable. We must know which one was used, and how to convert them by a simple arithmetical equation. Carotid endarterectomy appears to be highly beneficial in patients with recent hemispheric transient ischaemic attacks or non-disabling stroke and ipsilateral high-grade stenosis (> or = 60-70%) of the internal carotid artery. Even asymptomatic patients with high-grade stenosis benefit to some extent from surgery, and the beneficial effects correlate directly with the degree of stenosis. Endarterectomy in moderate symptomatic stenosis (50-69%) yields only a moderate reduction in stroke risk. In stenosis < 50% there is no benefit. Decisions about endarterectomy should take into account the natural history of stroke in carotid stenosis, surgical skills, and the individual patient's risk factors.

C-reactive protein (CRP) in cerebro-vascular events.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a useful prognostic factor in coronary heart disease. It has not been previously studied in acute cerebro-vascular events, which was the topic of the present study. METHODS: Patients admitted to the hospital for an acute cerebro-vascular event were prospectively investigated. C-reactive protein was determined nephelometrically. Infection or inflammation were excluded clinically and with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate <30 mm/h. Computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed. RESULTS: According to initial brain imaging and the clinical course the 138 patients were divided into five groups: 20 with transient ischemic attack, 20 with reversible neurological deficit lasting less than 2 weeks, 61 with completed stroke and restitution, 16 with stroke without restitution and 21 with cerebral hemorrhage. Median CRP values (range) were 3.2 (2.4-13.5), 3.3 (2.4-39.4), 4.2 (2.4-73. 4), 3.4 (3.2-44.0) and 3.5 (2.4-104.0 mg/l), respectively with no significant differences between groups in a non-parametric test (Kruskal-Wallis). Risk factors for vascular disease in general and stroke in particular had no visible influence on CRP levels. No relationship was found between time interval since onset of symptoms and CRP measurement, suggesting that an acute cerebro-vascular event has little influence on CRP values. CONCLUSION: CRP is not a useful marker to predict the outcome of an acute cerebro-vascular event on hospital admission. This is in contrast to acute coronary events.

Long-term results after recanalisation of chronic iliac artery occlusions by combined catheter therapy without stent placement.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the long-term outcome after recanalisation of chronic iliac artery occlusions by combined catheter therapy without stent placement. DESIGN: retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: between 1979 and 1995 75 consecutive patients were treated (53 men, 22 women; mean age 63.1+/-13.7 years; mean length of the occluded segment 6.9+/-3.5 cm). The indication for treatment was incapacitating claudication (n=55) or chronic critical ischaemia (n=20). At follow-up clinical data, pulse volume and pressure measurements were recorded and duplex-sonography and/or angiography performed, if clinically indicated. RESULTS: mean follow-up was 7. 2+/-4.1 years. The primary clinical success rate was 64% at 12 months, 57% at 4 years and remained stable for up to ten years. The secondary clinical success rate after 12 months was 83% and remained stable at 81% for up to 10 years. Peripheral embolisation as complication of the intervention occurred in 18 patients (24%) and was treated by percutaneous thromboembolectomy in 15 patients during the same procedure. In the remaining three patients no intervention was necessary. One patient had to undergo surgery for a groin haematoma. CONCLUSIONS: recanalisation of segmental chronic iliac artery occlusions by catheter therapy without stent placement has favourable long-term results comparable to primary stent placement. Randomised controlled studies are required to determine the appropriate role of catheter therapy alone and primary or selective stenting for iliac artery occlusions.

[Differential diagnosis of intermittent stress-related leg pain--not always an arterial problem]. / Differentialdiagnose intermittierender belastungsabhängiger Beinbeschwerden--nicht immer ein arterielles Problem.

Exertion induced pain of the lower limb is a common clinical problem. Different causes may lead to the clinical symptom "intermittent claudication". We differentiate vascular (peripheral arterial occlusive disease, venous occlusive disease or spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication) and nonvascular (orthopedic, rheumatologic, neurologic) disorders. Medical history and physical examination are the cornerstone for further diagnostic procedures. We focus on peripheral arterial occlusive disease to point out how to diagnose the underlying cause of intermittent leg pain.

Lethal pulmonary hypertension in a young woman caused by unrecognized haemangiosis carcinomatosa.

A 38-year-old female is described, who was admitted with increasing respiratory distress, cough and visible blood stasis in the jugular veins. The most likely diagnosis in this young women taking oral contraceptives was pulmonary embolism, however, a ventilation-perfusion lung scan was normal. Echocardiography showed a dilated right ventricle and increased systolic pulmonary pressure. Despite administration of oxygen and intravenous heparin the patient died in circulatory collapse before further investigations could be initiated. Post-mortem examination revealed diffuse adenocarcinoma of the stomach (linitis plastica) with metastasis to local lymphnodes, lymphangiosis carcinomatosa of the liver, pancreas and spleen and tumour cell masses within the lumen of small pulmonary arteries leading to variable occlusions of the vessels. Fibrocellular intimal proliferation was found, leading to further obstruction and increased resistance to flow through the pulmonary vascular bed and to subacute cor pulmonale.

[Fatal central pulmonary embolism under heparin therapy: white-clot syndrome]. / Tödliche zentrale Lungenembolien unter Heparintherapie: "white clot syndrome".

A 75-year old female underwent coronary angiography for chest pain. Significant proximal stenosis of the left coronary artery was found. During the waiting time for bypass surgery, intravenous heparin treatment was established for several days because of recurrent unstable angina pectoris. 10 days after coronary angiography an acute event with chest pain, hypotension, tachycardia and a new right bundle branch block suspect for myocardial infarction occurred, which was treated with rt-PA. Fever, persistent hypotension, acute progressive renal failure and thrombocytopenia suggested septic shock, and the patient was transferred to our hospital. A pulmonary artery catheter could not be advanced beyond the main stem of the pulmonary artery. The patient died suddenly 24 hours later from acute right ventricular failure. Autopsy demonstrated multiple white clots in both pulmonary arteries. The histological finding of clots rich in leukocytes and fibrin was compatible with the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombosis-thrombocytopenia or white clot syndrome. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia may occur after about 5 days of treatment. Two distinct types have been described. The first type occurs in up to 25% of patients receiving heparin and is a result of temporary platelet aggregation, margination and peripheral sequestration. The less common second type of thrombocytopenia is thought to be mediated by a heparin-dependent IgG antibody inducing platelet aggregation and may be associated with thromboembolic events leading to the white clot syndrome, which is rarely reported in the literature. In these cases heparin should be stopped immediately and replaced by oral anticoagulation. Other therapies such as low molecular weight heparin, synthetic heparinoids, hirudin, fibrinolytic agents, plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulins are discussed. Monitoring of the platelet count every 5 days in patients receiving heparin for any extended period should become standard medical practice to avoid potential fatal complications.

[False aneurysm in Behçet's syndrome]. / Aneurysmata spuria bei Morbus Behçet.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 32-year-old man developed acute right-sided sore throat, a thick voice and epistaxis. 13 years previously he had erythema nodosum, 12 and 10 year ago deep vein thrombosis. On admission he had Horner's syndrome, bulging of the gums and swelling of the paratracheal space. He had been on anticoagulation therapy with phenprocoumon since the leg vein thrombosis. INVESTIGATIONS: Computed tomography demonstrated a false aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery. 9 months later a right radial artery aneurysm occurred, which was treated surgically. An arterial cannula had previously been placed at this site for pressure monitoring. 2 months later a false aneurysm of the right femoral artery was diagnosed: it had previously been used for an intravascular intervention. As embolization to the popliteal artery occurred after sonographically controlled compression had failed and reduction of anticoagulation treatment, this aneurysm, too, was treated surgically. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: Because of the tendency to aneurysm formation after arterial puncture and the history of venous thromboses the diagnosis of Behçet's syndrome was considered, confirmed by subsequently elucidated history of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers and folliculitis. There were no other manifestations of the syndrome. Immunosuppressive treatment was instituted after another two aneurysm recurrences were noted in the right common femoral artery. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that the diagnosis of Behçet's syndrome may be made more difficult if its manifestation is primarily vascular with minimal mucocutaneous involvement. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent arterial aneurysms in a young person.

[Thromboembolic events in women treated with hormones. Acute cerebrovascular thrombosis in 2 young women receiving ovulation inhibitors, and experiences of SANZ (Swiss Drug Monitoring Center) 1991-1995]. / Thromboembolische Ereignisse bei Frauen unter Hormonbehandlung. Akute zerebrovaskuläre Thrombosen bei zwei jungen Frauen unter Ovulationshemmern und Erfahrungen der SANZ 1991-1995.

We describe 2 young patients with severe cerebrovascular thrombotic events whose only risk factor was intake of oral contraceptives. A 41-year-old woman suffered thrombosis of the basilar artery and remained disabled with a locked-in syndrome; a 23-year-old woman had thrombosis of the sinus sagittalis. These 2 cases and the current discussion regarding the use of hormones either as oral contraceptives or hormonal replacement therapy with estrogens and/or progestins prompted a review of the literature and a review of all spontaneous reports from 1991 to 1995 to SANZ (Schweizerische Arzneimittel-Nebenwirkungs-Zentrale), the Swiss Drug Side Effects Monitoring Center. The spontaneous reporting under this system does not allow conclusions on prevalence and incidence of adverse events. In these 5 years 33 vascular events associated with different hormones were reported. There were 28 reports of venous thrombosis of the lower and upper limb or pulmonary embolisms, and 5 reports of cerebrovascular complications. In 9 of 33 cases the hormones were used as hormonal replacement therapy and in 24 of 33 cases as oral contraceptives. In half of these women other risk factors for thromboembolic events such as overweight, family history of thrombosis and immobilization were known. Complications occurred with different preparations containing different estrogens and progestins. According to the literature, third generation progestins seem to involve a slightly increased risk of venous thromboembolism but a reduced risk of arterial thromboembolic events, which was confirmed by the SANZ data (17 of all 24 cases). Increasing age and rising estrogen dosage of oral contraceptives are associated with increased risk of vascular events. Although thromboembolic events also occur during hormonal replacement therapy with naturally occurring estrogens, the prophylactic potential of these drugs with regard to osteoporosis and cardiovascular events certainly outweighs this risk.

[Rational hypertension treatment]. / Rationale Hypertonie-Behandlung.

The primary objective of antihypertensive treatment is to prevent the involvement of target-organs, including hypertensive vascular disease of the kidney or left ventricular hypertrophy. Antihypertensive treatment should not worsen other cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. lipids) or impair quality of life. Contemporary efforts to optimize antihypertensive therapy are focused on single-drug therapy and on individualizing treatment according to patients age, sex, race and the presence of concomitant illnesses and therapies, in order to improve compliance and reduce overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several antihypertensive drugs such as ACE-inhibitors, beta-adrenergic-receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, alpha-adrenergic-receptor antagonists, and newer substances such as imidazoline-receptor antagonists and angiotensin-II antagonists are discussed.

[Fulminant, rapidly reversible hepatitis and life-threatening anaphylaxis following rifampicin in an HIV-positive female patient with latent adrenal cortex insufficiency]. / Fulminante, rasch reversible Hepatitis und lebensgefährliche Anaphylaxie nach Rifampicin bei einer HIV-positiven Patientin mit latenter Nebennierenrinden-Insuffizienz.

We report the case of a 28-year-old-prostitute from Thailand with HIV infection stage B2 associated with retroperitoneal lymph node tuberculosis. 6 days after the beginning of anti-tuberculous therapy (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamid and ethambutol) the temperature rose to 40.5 degrees C, diarrhea, vomiting, and tachycardia developed and systolic blood pressure fell to 80 mm Hg. Liver function tests revealed acute hepatic failure (ALT 800 IU/l rising to 1500; serum bilirubin 89 mumol/l rising to 238.0; alkaline phosphatase 199 IU/l; glucose 1.8 mmol/l; prothrombin time 20%). Isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamid were replaced by streptomycin and PAS. A few days after withdrawal the liver profile returned to normal. Hours after the reintroduction of rifampicin total body erythema, pruritus, vomiting and severe hypotension developed, requiring saline methylprednisolone and epinephrine administration. The next reexposure to intravenous rifampicin produced a rash and was rapidly discontinued. Liver function tests remained normal. Later mild adverse reactions to streptomycin and pyrazinamid occurred, two drugs which had been well tolerated before. Subsequently the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency was established. After initiation of steroid replacement (50 mg prednisolone) the antituberculous therapy with isoniazid, pyrazinamid and ethambutol was well tolerated. We conclude that the shock in this HIV-infected patient was either due to severe anaphylaxis to rifampicin or acute adrenal insufficiency ensuing on this drug. The reversible fulminant acute hepatic failure represents either an adverse effect of antituberculous drugs, especially hepatotoxic interactions of drug combinations, or an ischemic liver injury during hypotension caused by anaphylaxis. The case illustrates the complex nature of side effects of antituberculous drugs in HIV patients and their aggravation by adrenal insufficiency.

[Problems in the diagnosis and therapy of lymph node tuberculosis in HIV-negative patients]. / Probleme bei der Diagnose und Therapie der Lymphknoten-tuberkulose bei HIV-negativen Patienten.

Tuberculosis is the world's foremost cause of death from a single infectious agent in adults. During the past decade the nature and magnitude of the problem of tuberculosis have dramatically changed. Much of what physicians have learned about this disease is no longer true and tuberculosis has become a new entity. Migration from developing areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis to industrialized countries, and the problem of HIV infection, have introduced new components to the epidemiology. We report three cases of young immigrants with lymph node tuberculosis. One patient was successfully treated with the usual 9-month-regimen. The other 2 patients, however, developed new lymph nodes or enlargement of existing nodes during treatment. They underwent further examinations, including surgical biopsies, because of diagnostic uncertainty (tuberculosis, superinfection or lymphoma). Finally the 2 patients were successfully treated with antituberculous agents for 12 and 15 months. These cases prompted a review of the literature and a reevaluation of the management of lymph node tuberculosis, including the value of surgical biopsy in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis. We conclude that selective surgical biopsies should be recommended for differential diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis. Histological examination (caseating epitheloid cell granulomas and giant cell formation) and microbiological examination (Ziehl-Neelsen staining and culture of native material) should be performed. Newer methods, such as amplification and detection of mycobacterial DNA, are rapid and sensitive tests helpful for diagnosis. Lymph nodes may increase in size and new nodes may appear both during and after chemotherapy, without indicating a failure of treatment or relapse. The usual treatment is a 9-month-regimen with rifamipicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamid and ethambutol. Prolonged or modified regimens are, however, necessary in some individuals.

[Interrupted aortic arch: fortuitous diagnosis in a 72-year-old female patient with severe aortic insufficiency]. / Der unterbrochene Aortenbogen: Zufallsdiagnose bei einer 72jährigen Patientin mit schwerer Aorteninsuffizienz.

Interrupted aortic arch, defined as complete luminal and anatomic discontinuity between ascending and descending aorta, is an uncommon and highly lethal anomaly. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman scheduled for aortic valve replacement because of severe regurgitation. During preoperative catheterization, it was not possible to reach the ascending aorta from a femoral puncture. Further radiological investigation demonstrated interrupted aortic arch of type A without other cardiac or vascular anomalies. Postoperative course after aortic valve replacement and ascending-to-supraceliac aortic bypass was initially uneventful. Unfortunately, pericardial tamponade developed 10 days after the operation and required re-exploration, during which no active bleeding could be found. Recurrent effusion occurred and the patient finally died from severe shock and multiorgan failure. This exceptional case prompted a review of the literature which confirmed the rarity of this presentation in adult patients. It seems interesting that only mild arterial hypertension of the upper extremities was retrospectively found in this patient.

[Brucellosis: case report and synopsis of 10 cases (1973-1992) in the Chur canton hospital]. / Brucellose: Fallbericht und Zusammenstellung von 10 Fällen (1973-1992) am Kantonsspital Chur.

A 33-year-old patient from former Yugoslavia presented with low back pain and fever. Plain X-rays and myelography were normal, but a technetium-99m scan was suspect for vertebral osteomyelitis. Serology and blood cultures were positive for Brucella (melitensis). Antibiotic therapy with tetracycline and rifampicine rapidly improved the signs and symptoms of the infection. A retrospective analysis of 11 cases of Brucellosis treated in the Kantonsspital, Chur, over the years 1973 to 1992 revealed that 9 patients were foreign workers from rural areas in the Mediterranean region (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece). The majority had a history of consuming milk and dairy products from their own farm animals up to a few months before the onset of symptoms. Blood cultures were positive in 5 cases (B. melitensis) while the remaining 6 had high titers of agglutinating antibodies. A diagnostic delay of several weeks to months was typical. Because Brucellosis usually presents with unspecific often flu-like symptoms, with unspecific laboratory findings, and with a varying array of organ manifestations a high index of suspicion is essential for a timely diagnosis.

[Round shadows in the thoracic roentgen picture, nicotine abuse]. / Rundschatten im Thoraxröntgenbild, Nikotinabusus.

A 69 year old male patient was seen at our outpatient clinic because of a paravertebral mass in the routine x-ray-film of the chest. The patient was in good health, showed no loss of weight and complained only of slight cough probably due to his smoking habits. In view of these findings a benign lung tumor was suspected. However, the computed tomography of the chest revealed an aneurysm of the descending aorta which was successfully operated.