Inflammatory aneurysms of the abdominal aorta

Over a 5 year period 268 abdominal aortic aneurysms were operated on, 15 of these (5.6%) showed the characteristic features of inflammatory aneurysms. Rupture of the aneurysm was an unusual method for presentation (one patient), and back and abdominal pain were present in 13 patients. The ESR may be of value in the pre-operative diagnosis. Ultrasound and CT scanning can, by the detection of a peri-aortic mass lead to confusion in the diagnosis. Two patients were initially diagnosed as having lymphoma. Strict adherence to the surgical principles outlined resulted in no mortality or significant morbidity in these 15 patients.