[Incidence and clinical aspects of aneurysm rupture in the abdominal aorta]

On the basis of the section material of 25 years in Tartu a significant increase of the frequency of arteriosclerotic aneurysms of the aorta, especially of the abdominal aorta and its ruptures, could be established. At the same time the appearance of luetic aortic aneurysms decreased. Due to its variable symptomatology the diagnosis of the rupture of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta is often not exactly diagnosed by the physician who is first in charge of the case. On the basis of a clinical material of 21 post-mortem examinations the diagnostics of the rupture of the aneurysm of the abdominal aorta is discussed, and the most important symptoms are emphasized. It is emphasized that an aneurysms of the abdominal aorta shall be recognized in every case allready before its rupture as the prognosis of the operation is relatively good in this stage. Since it must be reckoned with a continuous increase of the frequency of the arteriosclerotic lesions of the aorta the physician shall, too, always think of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta when uncertain complaints of the abdomen and the back are present.