Descending thoracic aneurysm rupture with a known abdominal aortic aneurysm

The association of abdominal aortic aneurysms with aneurysmal disease of the thoracic aorta is well established. However, rupture of a descending atherosclerotic thoracic aortic aneurysm in association with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm can present a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem to the treating physician. This article presents a case of rupture of an atherosclerotic descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in the face of what clinically appeared to be a leaking or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.