How to reduce the risk of rupture in suprascapular aneurysm?

Question

Hi doctor,

My husband is 30 years old. He is generally in good health. Three weeks ago he noticed a pulsating mass above his clavicle. He has some shoulder pain, but no neurological or other symptoms. He went to his primary care physician and had an ultrasound yesterday, which reported that he has a suprascapular aneurysm measuring 0.78 x 0.39 x 0.78 inches. A referral was made to a vascular surgeon who was unable to look at his file yet. How urgently does this need to be addressed? Can anything be done to decrease the risk of rupture? His blood pressure runs 140/90 mmHg, and he does not take blood pressure medication. He is currently on Carbidopa or Levodopa for tremor.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Aneurysms of blood vessels of the limbs are better treated than left alone because they will not decrease by themselves and can lead to rupture with day-to-day activity. The risk of rupture is increased with,

Direct injury to the site.
Raised blood pressure.
The large size of an aneurysm to begin with.
Some diseases of the blood vessels and connective tissues.

In your husband's case, it is a relatively small one. An important thing that you can do is lower the blood pressure from 140/90 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg. The first step in that is usually the reduction of salt in the diet to less than 0.070 to 0.17 ounces per day. Rupture of such an aneurysm is not a very risky affair, but the treatment might get complicated. So, it is better to get it evaluated. Your husband's ultrasound report can shed light on the specifics of the problem lesion and help decide options that would be available. So, if you need any more information, please upload the ultrasound report and follow up.