Syphilitic aortic aneurysm presenting with upper airway obstruction.

Syphilitic aortic aneurysms are uncommon today. A rare case of syphilitic aortic arch aneurysm with successful surgical treatment is reported. A 42-year-old man presented with upper airway obstruction. Chest radiography showed a superior mediastinal mass, and computed tomography revealed a large saccular aortic arch aneurysm that compressed the trachea. Dacron graft replacement of the aortic arch was successfully performed under circulatory arrest with antegrade cerebral perfusion.