Vasc Spec Int.  2019 Sep;35(3):152-159. 10.5758/vsi.2019.35.3.152.

Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers of the Abdominal Aorta: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Kotsis T
• Spyropoulos BG
• Asaloumidis N
• Christoforou P
• Katseni K
• Papaconstantinou I

• KMID: 2460012
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5758/vsi.2019.35.3.152

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.

Keyword

Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer; Abdominal aorta; Acute aortic syndrome

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aorta
Aorta, Abdominal*
Aorta, Thoracic
Atherosclerosis
Humans
Rupture
Ulcer*