Bronchial artery aneurysm refractory to transcatheter embolization.

Bronchial artery aneurysms occur rarely, but they are potentially life threatening and require treatment to avoid rupture and other complications. A 37-year-old man, who was otherwise healthy, presented with chest discomfort and was found to have a large right bronchial artery aneurysm. Despite two attempts at embolization, the aneurysm continued to have persistent flow. Aneurysmectomy with ligation of multiple collateral vessels was successfully performed through a standard posterolateral thoracotomy. Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 2.