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Aortic aneurysm producing back pain, bone destruction, and paraplegia
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|April 1, 1982
Summary
Back pain and paraplegia can signal aortic aneurysms. Prompt evaluation, including arteriography, is crucial for diagnosing spinal erosion caused by aortic aneurysms, guiding aggressive surgical treatment.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Aortic aneurysms rarely present with back pain or paraplegia.
- Spinal involvement by aortic aneurysms can mimic other serious conditions.
Observation:
- A 79-year-old male presented with an aortic aneurysm causing extensive destructive changes in lumbar vertebrae.
- The aneurysm had eroded into the spine, leading to severe back pain.
Findings:
- Vertebral body erosion associated with back pain necessitates investigation for abscess, neoplasia, or aortic aneurysm.
- Arteriography is essential to confirm aortic aneurysm continuity with the vertebral body and rule out concurrent pathologies.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical intervention are critical for rapidly expanding aortic aneurysms.
- Untreated aortic aneurysms with spinal erosion have a poor prognosis, often leading to rapid mortality.