Senile aortic aneurysm

Aortic aneurysm refers to a disease caused by local or diffuse abnormal dilation secondary to loss of the aortic intima and medial smooth muscle and elastic tissue, compressing surrounding organs. This disease is more common in the elderly. Most patients with aortic aneurysm are asymptomatic in the early stage and are often discovered incidentally during physical examination or chest radiography. As the aneurysm enlarges and compresses surrounding tissues and organs depending on its location, or even ruptures, the following symptoms and signs may appear. Pain is a common symptom; compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve causes hoarseness or loss of voice; cardiac insufficiency may occur; hemoptysis may occur due to involvement of the trachea and bronchi; rupture into the esophagus may cause massive hematemesis; a mass with marked tenderness may be palpable in the mid-upper abdomen or umbilicus.