Value of multislice CT in the diagnosis of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm from Swan-Ganz catheter placement

Perforation of a pulmonary artery after placement of a Swan-Ganz catheter is a serious complication that requires immediate management. Exact description of size and anatomic localization of a pulmonary pseudoaneurysm is crucial for planning further therapy. This report describes a patient who experienced such a complication, but in whom primary pulmonary angiography failed to demonstrate bleeding. However, multislice computed tomography not only correctly demonstrated the anatomic location of the pseudoaneurysm but was also able to directly visualize the feeder vessel and its connection to the aneurysm. This information was essential for subsequent superselective angiographic visualization of the feeder vessel and for successful embolization as the least invasive method of choice.