Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta

Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta occurs, as a rule, as a result of atherosclerosis. It is localized mainly below the site of renal arteries.

Symptoms, course. Clinical symptoms are meager. Approximately 40% of aneurysms are a random finding in a clinical or radiological study. At the beginning of the disease, the patient may note a recurring abdominal pain without a clear localization and a sensation of pulsation. Then, to the left of the spine, pulsating formation begins to be determined, with auscultation - stenotic noise. Then there is pain in the abdomen after eating, there are signs of intermittent claudication. The pain grows if the aneurysmal sac squeezes the spinal roots.

The diagnosis is based on data from clinical equipment (pulsating tumor to the left of the spine), an overview of the abdominal X-ray (calcification of an aneurysmal sac), ultrasound, computerized X-ray tomography. Differential diagnosis is performed with a retroperitoneal tumor and pancreatic tumor.

Treatment only operative - a resection of an aneurysm with prosthetics.

Forecast. 90% of untreated patients die within a year from aneurysm rupture. Massive bleeding occurs in the retroperitoneal space, a free abdominal cavity, in the presence of an anastomosis - in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract or in the lower vena cava. Lethality in this case is 90%. Thromboembolic complications occur less often.