Abdominal aortic aneurysm with inferior vena cava obstruction: case report

Symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) presenting as unilateral lower limb swelling: A case report

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Symptomatic aneurysms typically present with pain localised to the abdomen, back, or flank.

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An extremely uncommon presentation of a symptomatic AAA is due to the sequelae of compression of the Inferior Vena Cava.

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IVC compression secondary to AAA has previously been treated via open surgery.

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Endovascular management of symptomatic AAA’s resulting in caval thrombosis may offer a viable alternative to open surgery.

Introduction

The abdominal aorta is the most common site of true arterial aneurysm, predominantly affecting the segment below the renal arteries [1]. Typically, they are now diagnosed as asymptomatic incidental findings on abdominal imaging for unrelated pathology/symptoms. Symptomatic aneurysms typically present with pain localised to the abdomen, back, or flank [2]. An extremely uncommon scenario is presentation due to the sequelae of compression of the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). Previously, open surgical repair has been the treatment modality of choice in such cases [3].

Presentation of case

We describe the case of a symptomatic infra-renal AAA presenting with lower limb oedema and shortness of breath due to compression of the IVC which resulted in caval thrombosis and associated embolic disease in the form of a pulmonary embolus (PE). Novel endovascular techniques allowed for management via minimally invasive surgery in the form of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) which avoided the high morbidity and mortality of the previous standard of care, open surgery.

Discussion

This resulted in a short duration of admission with resolution of clinical symptoms by follow-up at six-weeks post intervention.

Conclusion

This case highlights that the endovascular management of symptomatic AAA’s resulting in caval thrombosis may offer a viable alternative to open repair with decompression.

Endovascular Repair of a Large Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Patient Presenting with Lower Extremity Edema as a Result of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis

PURPOSE

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can present with symptoms because of aneurysmal compression of adjacent organ systems. This condition has always been treated by open surgical repair. Here, we report a case of an AAA complicated by inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) due to IVC compression by aneurysm successfully treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

CASE REPORT

A 50-year-old man was presented with 3-day right lower extremity edema. He was diagnosed with acute DVT and IVC thrombosis initially. Anticoagulation therapy and catheter-directed thrombolysis under the protection of IVC filter were performed. Subsequent imaging revealed a 9.5-cm infrarenal AAA compressing the IVC. The patient was transferred to our hospital and underwent EVAR successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

EVAR is a viable treatment option for patients with an AAA complicated by IVC thrombosis and DVT due to IVC compression by aneurysm.

Mucocutaneous lesions of Behcet's disease

Behcet's disease is particularly prevalent in "Silk Route" populations, but it has a global distribution. The diagnosis of the disease is based on clinical criteria as there is as yet no pathognomonic test, and mucocutaneous lesions, which figure prominently in the presentation and diagnosis, may be considered the diagnostic hallmarks. Among the internationally accepted criteria, painful oral and genital ulcers, cutaneous vasculitic lesions and reactivity of the skin to needle prick or injection (the pathergy reaction) are considered hallmarks of Behcet's disease, and often precede other manifestations. Their recognition may permit earlier diagnosis and treatment, with salutary results. This paper describes the various lesions that constitute the syndrome and focuses on those that may be considered characteristic.

Are erythema nodosum-like lesions and superficial thrombophlebitis prodromal in terms of visceral involvement in Behcet's disease?

Erythema nodosum (EN)-like lesions and superficial thrombophlebitis (ST) are skin symptoms that are frequently observed in Behcet's disease. In most of the patients, skin symptoms precede serious visceral involvement. The study included 78 patients whose mean age was 33.48 +/- 6.16 (21-48). Of the cases, 37 were females and 41 were males. Forty-two patients (53.8%) had EN-like lesion and 12 (15.3%) had ST. Six of 54 patients, who had EN-like lesion and ST, were found to have no visceral involvement. In six of the remaining 48 patients, it was established that visceral involvement developed before lesions. It was found in 42 patients that these two lesions preceded visceral involvement. In addition, 18 of 24 patients who did not have these two lesions, do not still have visceral involvement. Therefore, we think that EN-like lesion and ST can be guiding in predicting serious visceral involvement and complications that can develop in advanced stages of Behcet's disease.

Panniculitis. Part I. Mostly septal panniculitis

The panniculitides represent a group of heterogeneous inflammatory diseases that involve the subcutaneous fat. The specific diagnosis of these diseases requires histopathologic study because different panniculitides usually show the same clinical appearance, which consists of subcutaneous erythematous nodules on the lower extremities. However, the histopathologic study of panniculitis is difficult because of an inadequate clinicopathologic correlation, and the changing evolutionary nature of the lesions means that biopsy specimens are often taken from late-stage lesions, which results in nonspecific histopathologic findings. In addition, large-scalpel incisional biopsies are required. However, we believe that by obtaining appropriate biopsy specimens and with adequate clinicopathologic correlation, a specific diagnosis may be rendered in most cases of panniculitis. It must be accepted that all panniculitides are somewhat mixed because the inflammatory infiltrate involves both the septa and lobules; however, in general the differential diagnosis between a mostly septal and a mostly lobular panniculitis is straightforward at scanning magnification. Mostly septal panniculitides with vasculitis include leukocytoclastic vasculitis involving the small blood vessels of the septa; superficial thrombophlebitis resulting from inflammation and subsequent thrombosis of large veins of the septa; and cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, which is a vasculitis involving arteries and arterioles of the septa of subcutaneous fat with few or no systemic manifestations. Often septal panniculitides with no vasculitis are the consequence of dermal inflammatory processes extending to the subcutaneous fat, such as necrobiosis lipoidica, scleroderma, subcutaneous granuloma annulare, rheumatoid nodule, and necrobiotic xanthogranuloma. However, in other cases, the inflammatory process is primarily located in the fibrous septa of the subcutis with or without involvement of the overlying dermis. The most frequently seen septal panniculitis is erythema nodosum, which, in fully developed lesions, is characterized histopathologically by Miescher's radial granulomas in the septa.

Superficial thrombophlebitis. II. Secondary hypercoagulable states

Secondary hypercoagulable states are complex clinical conditions associated with an increased risk of thrombosis in which the exact pathophysiology is poorly understood. Secondary causes of superficial thrombophlebitis include malignancy, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, infusion of prothrombin complex concentrates, Behçet's disease, Buerger's disease, Mondor's disease, infectious agents, conditions that promote venous stasis, intravenous catheters and intravenous drug use. Conditions that may stimulate superficial thrombophlebitis include dermatophyte cellulitis at saphenous phlebectomy sites, sarcoidal granulomas, cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, and hyperalgesic pseudothrombophlebitis in patients who test positive for human immunodeficiency virus. The distinguishing features, clinical evaluation, treatment, and histologic characteristics of the various disorders are reviewed.