Postlaminectomy aortic pseudoaneurysm

Vascular injuries after lumbar laminectomy for disc disease may result in acute life-threatening hemorrhage, chronic arteriovenous fistula, or pseudoaneurysm formation. This case report concerns a 53-year-old woman who developed an aortic pseudoaneurysm after an L2/L3 lumbar discectomy, diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and aortogram. The patient fully recovered after celiotomy and repair of the aortic tear. The majority of vascular injuries associated with lumbar laminectomy are found at the L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels, and few occur at L2/L3. Early diagnosis with CT scan and aortography is essential, because prompt exploration will minimize morbidity and mortality.