Pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to retroperitoneal lymph nodes, diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and treated by embolization

• Published in: Journal des maladies vasculaires Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 287 - 291
• Main Authors: Hachem, K, Bleibel, L, Chalhoub, B, Smayra, T, Slaba, S, Ghossain, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-12-2006
• Subjects: Adult; Aneurysm, False - diagnostic imaging; Aneurysm, False - etiology; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - etiology; Embolization, Therapeutic; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis - diagnostic imaging; Male; Peritoneal Cavity; Sarcoma - diagnostic imaging; Sarcoma - pathology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography, Doppler
• ISSN: 0398-0499
• DOI: 10.1016/S0398-0499(06)76629-X

To report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to retroperitoneal enlarged lymph nodes.
A 40 years old patient, with known sarcoma and metastatic retroperitoneal lymph nodes was referred for abdominal ultrasound because severe abdominal pain after defecation.
The Doppler examination revealed magma of retroperitoneal lymph nodes surrounding the abdominal aorta inside of which a saccular collection of circulating blood, communicating with the aorta, was detected. The spectrum registered in the channel revealed a bidirectional flow compatible with a pseudoaneurysm. MR angiography confirmed the diagnosis. Successful occlusion was done by coil embolization.
Pseudoaneurysms of the abdominal aorta are very rare. We report the first case of pseudoaneurysm arising in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Diagnosis by Doppler ultrasound allowed a rapid treatment by embolization.