Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers of the Abdominal Aorta: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
10.5758/vsi.2019.35.3.152
- Author:
Thomas KOTSIS
1
;
Basileios Georgiou SPYROPOULOS
;
Nikolaos ASALOUMIDIS
;
Panagitsa CHRISTOFOROU
;
Konstantina KATSENI
;
Ioannis PAPACONSTANTINOU
Author Information
1. Vascular Division, 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. kotsisth@otenet.gr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer;
Abdominal aorta;
Acute aortic syndrome
- MeSH:
Aged;
Aorta;
Aorta, Abdominal;
Aorta, Thoracic;
Atherosclerosis;
Humans;
Rupture;
Ulcer
- From:Vascular Specialist International
2019;35(3):152-159
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs) of the aorta are defined as atherosclerotic lesions with aortic intima and media ulceration, which may lead to a complete rupture of the adventitial wall. The present article aimed to report an unusual case of a surgically treated patient with abdominal aorta PAU with an illustration of the key features and to review and analyze the existing literature data. PAUs typically develop in elderly and hypertensive patients and in patients with advanced atherosclerosis. Although originally described for the descending thoracic aorta, a similar clinicopathological entity also occurs in the abdominal aorta. Patients with symptoms of a PAU should be treated immediately if they are fit for surgery. Exceptive observation by imaging modalities is necessary in patients with asymptomatic small (<2 cm) PAU, with or without focal dissection.
