[A male with painful blue discoloration of the legs]

Laurens-Alexander Schols1,2, A T Atalik1, Wouter Hogendoorn3

  • 1Erasmus MC, Rotterdam: Afd. Spoedeisende Hulp.

Insights

A ruptured aneurysm caused blue leg discoloration in a 79-year-old male. Emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) successfully treated the condition, resolving symptoms immediately.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Interventional Radiology

Background:

  • Aortic aneurysms can rupture and form fistulas, leading to complex clinical presentations.
  • Inferior vena cava fistulas secondary to ruptured aneurysms are rare but critical vascular emergencies.

Observation:

  • A 79-year-old male presented with progressive blue discoloration and pain in both legs.
  • Diagnostic imaging revealed a ruptured aneurysm with a fistula into the inferior vena cava.

Findings:

  • Emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed to treat the ruptured aneurysm and fistula.
  • Post-EVAR, the patient experienced immediate resolution of leg discoloration and pain.

Implications:

  • EVAR is an effective treatment for ruptured aneurysms with inferior vena cava fistulas.
  • Prompt diagnosis and intervention are crucial for limb salvage and patient survival in such cases.

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