Treatment of type IIIa endoleak and 7-year follow-up: case report

Type III endoleaks are characterized by a problem with the endograft structure, such as fracture of the metallic structure, separation, or rupture. They constitute a rare complication, occurring in 2.1% of patients after treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm by endovascular repair, with higher incidence in first and second generation endografts, and can occur early (after 30 days) or later. This type III classification is subdivided into IIIa -modular separation of components - and IIIb - mesh fracture or rupture involving the endograft. This case report describes an asymptomatic patient who had previously undergone infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and underwent follow-up computed tomography which found a type IIIa endoleak with separation of the main body from the proximal extension. A second endovascular intervention was performed to seal the endoleak and correct the aneurysm.