Complications of isolated bilateral iliac artery aneurysms

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms occur infrequently. They comprise about 2 per cent of all abdominal aneurysms. Most patients are symptomatic at the time of presentation. The average diameter is 5.7 cm at diagnosis. We report the acutely symptomatic presentation of a 76-year-old African-American man with 7- and 9-cm bilateral common iliac and a right hypogastic artery aneurysms. Aneurysmorrhaphy was complicated by pelvic ischemia. Colonoscopy and arteriography were used postoperatively to evaluate the extent of his worsening gluteal ischemia. Restoration of pelvic blood flow corrected his gluteal ischemia.