Types of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (TAA)
The three different types of aneurysms: Fusiform, saccular, and pseudoaneurysm
The shape of an aneurysm is described as being fusiform or saccular which helps to identify a true aneurysm. A true aneurysm involves all three layers of the arterial blood vessel wall.
- Fusiform-shaped aneurysm: Bulges or balloons out on all sides of the aorta; relatively more common
- Saccular-shaped aneurysm: Bulges or balloons out only on one side
- Pseudoaneurysm (or false aneurysm): Enlargement of only the outer layer of the blood vessel wall
- May be the result of prior surgery or trauma
- Sometimes, a tear may occur on the inside layer of the vessel resulting in blood entering the layers of the blood vessel wall, creating a pseudoaneurysm