Chronic-contained ruptured aortic aneurysm: un unusual cause of back pain

• Published in: Tunisie Medicale Vol. 82; no. 11; p. 1052
• Main Authors: Sraieb, Tarek, Ben Ameur, Youssef, Bougamra, Syrine, Longo, Selma, Ben Romdhane, Nabil, Manaa, Jamel, Slimane, Mohamed Lotfi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: Tunisia 01-11-2004
• Subjects: Aged; Aneurysm, Ruptured - complications; Aneurysm, Ruptured - diagnosis; Aneurysm, Ruptured - diagnostic imaging; Aneurysm, Ruptured - surgery; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - complications; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - diagnosis; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - surgery; Aortography; Back Pain - etiology; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Chronic Disease; Emergencies; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0041-4131

Chronic contained rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm is a rare event which can cause diagnostic difficulties. It can present as a chronic back pain and the delayed diagnosis and delayed surgical repair may compromise the final results. The outcome of urgent repair of a chronic contained leak is equivalent to that of elective aneurysm repair. We report a case of contained rupture of a small abdominal aortic aneurysm with delayed diagnosis, evaluated by computed tomography showing a beginning erosion of the lumbar vertebral body. The patient was operated on within 24 hours on admission with uneventful surgical outcome.