SM

38 - Aorta: Saccular aneurysm

Enlarge Descriptive Card Log Book Entry

Rodin Number: 30
E Number: 126
Donor: Ross and Osler
Date: unknown
Size (H x W cm): 15 x 13

The specimen shows a large saccular aneurysm of the transverse arch of the aorta filled with thrombus (better seen on back view (A)).

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Comment

Detailed clinical information is not available. However, the descriptive card suggests that the aneurysm was caused by syphilis. A case of pulmonary emphysema associated with a “cured” aortic aneurysm was reported by Shufelt in the Canada Medical and Surgical Journal 1880 - 81, 9: 219 (the patient was under Ross’s care). However, it is unlikely that this report relates to specimen 38. Rodin cites Abbott as saying that Osler mentioned this specimen in his textbook; however, he could not find a reference to it.

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