An aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus is a rare condition that can prove fatal if it should rupture.
If observed the patient:
(1) may complain of severe neck pain
(2) may have a sudden loss of consciousness
If the person is not known to have an aneurysm, then detection requires a careful dissection. The trigger to expect the unexpected would be nontraumatic hemorrhage in the mediastinum, especially if there is extension of the hemorrhage into the neck and around the larynx.En bloc removal of thoracic organs should be considered.
Severe hemorrhage can occur even if the aneurysm is small.
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