A case of penetrating aortic ulcer complicated by tuberculosis: insights from the post-mortem.

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All Authors

Chaggar, G.H.
Hawrot H.

LTHT Author

Chaggar, Gurjeevun
Hawrot, Hannah

LTHT Department

Non Medic

Publication Date

2025

Item Type

Article

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Subject

Subject Headings

Abstract

We report an autopsy case of a penetrating aortic ulcer caused by a combination of tuberculosis infection and background aortic atheroma. The patient was a male in his mid-60s with a past medical history of essential hypertension, prostate cancer, and cigarette smoking. He presented to his GP with significant unintentional weight loss/general malaise and a CT scan revealed a 4.5 cm ulcer in the arch of his aorta. Before vascular referral could be made, he was found dead at home with a left-sided haemothorax caused by rupture of his penetrating aortic ulcer. Histological examination showed granulomatous inflammation at the ulcer site with numerous acid-fast bacilli, consistent with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and severe atheroma in the background aorta. This case highlights the rare interaction between atherosclerosis and tuberculosis in causing aortic ulceration.

Journal

Diagnostic Histopathology

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14838/1223

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpdhp.2024.10.008

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