Brachial artery aneurysm in a patient with HIV infection. A case report.

The authors present a case of a brachial artery aneurysm in a patient with HIV infection. Aneurysms of unusual arteries, such as the common carotid, brachiocephalic, subclavian, superior mesenteric arteries and arteries of the upper extremity distal to the axillary artery, may be related to HIV infection. Chronic inflammatory infiltrate (plasma cells, B and T lymphocytes) around the vasa vasorum is noted in many reports. This condition may represent a "distinct clinicopathology entity". The best therapeutic option is operative repair. Reconstruction with autologous material is preferable since bacterial involvement of synthetic grafts is possible in individuals with an immunocompromised condition.