Ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm: a rare cause of chest pain

Bronchial artery aneurysms are extremely rare and clinical manifestations do not usually present until they rupture, an event which can be life-threatening. When a mediastinal bronchial aneurysm ruptures the clinical picture mimics aortic dissection, and early diagnosis and effective management will be essential for resolving this emergency satisfactorily. Definitive diagnosis is usually based on selective arteriography, although thoracic computed tomography can occasionally be diagnostic. [Emergencias 2012;24:459-461]