Rasmussen Aneurysm secondary to Covid-19: A case report

Abstract

Rasmussen's aneurysm is an inflammatory dilation arising in the branch of pulmonary artery adjacent to or within tubercular cavity. COVID-19 co-infection in the circumstances of Rasmussen aneurysm is an infrequent incident. A 44-year old female patient was hospitalized with chief complaints of recurrent episodes of large hemoptysis. The patient was diagnosed with Rasmussen aneurysm latterly assessed by computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. She was reported having category C COVID-19 infection and doesn't have any history of tuberculosis in the past. After recovering from COVID-19 infection, her cough became worse and had first episode of hemoptysis in small amount. Two weeks later a second episode of hemoptysis of about 15 ml with clot, followed by third episode after three days about 100 ml. The clinician planned for embolization of pulmonary artery since it was a non-tuberculous Rasmussen's Aneurysm. Our case report highlights the importance of Rasmussen's aneurysm as contrasting diagnosis when presented with post COVID-19 infection and an unusual start of haemoptysis symptomatically and radiologically. Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm is unusual and highly associated with increased mortality rate if not treated, secondary to haemoptysis. Timely diagnosis and management are solutions to prevent mortality.