Traumatic aorta injuries in a rural area: late manifestations and review of therapeutic aspects.

Traumatic thoracic aortic injuries (TTAI) are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. They are classified according to the extent of damage and computed tomography angiography has the highest sensitivity and specificity for identifying the degree of injury and potential associated lesions. Treatment strategies for TTAI are based on the type and extent of injury and associated lesions. The patient's degree of stability can also help to define the choice of treatment, which can be conventional or endovascular surgery (EVAR) or even conservative management in selected cases. Among patients with adequate vascular anatomy, endovascular surgery is associated with better survival and fewer risks. The objective of this article is to describe a series of four cases followed up at a tertiary service in a Brazilian state that has few centers that provide high complexity care. Endovascular therapy was employed as the preferred method. All four patients had favorable outcomes, with no complications up to discharge, and are currently in outpatient follow-up.

Lesões traumáticas de aorta em zona rural: série de casos com manifestações tardias e revisão dos aspectos terapêuticos / Traumatic aorta injuries in a rural area: late manifestations and review of therapeutic aspects

Resumo As lesões traumáticas da aorta (LTA) torácica estão associadas a altas taxas de morbimortalidade. São classificadas de acordo com a extensão do dano, e a angiotomografia computadorizada tem as maiores sensibilidade e especificidade para identificar o grau de lesão e potenciais lesões associadas. As estratégias terapêuticas para LTA são baseadas no tipo de lesão, na extensão e nas lesões associadas. Pode auxiliar na definição de conduta também o grau de estabilidade do paciente, podendo ser manejo cirúrgico convencional, endovascular (TEVAR) ou conservador em casos selecionados. Entre os pacientes com anatomia vascular adequada, a cirurgia endovascular está associada a melhor sobrevida e a menos riscos. O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever uma série de quatro casos acompanhados em serviço terciário, em um estado com poucos serviços de alta complexidade. A terapêutica endovascular foi empregada como método preferencial. Os pacientes apresentaram evolução favorável sem complicações até a alta e encontram-se em acompanhamento ambulatorial.

Abstract Traumatic thoracic aortic injuries (TTAI) are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. They are classified according to the extent of damage and computed tomography angiography has the highest sensitivity and specificity for identifying the degree of injury and potential associated lesions. Treatment strategies for TTAI are based on the type and extent of injury and associated lesions. The patient's degree of stability can also help to define the choice of treatment, which can be conventional or endovascular surgery (EVAR) or even conservative management in selected cases. Among patients with adequate vascular anatomy, endovascular surgery is associated with better survival and fewer risks. The objective of this article is to describe a series of four cases followed up at a tertiary service in a Brazilian state that has few centers that provide high complexity care. Endovascular therapy was employed as the preferred method. All four patients had favorable outcomes, with no complications up to discharge, and are currently in outpatient follow-up.

Tuberculous Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Associated With Spinal Tuberculosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm associated with spinal tuberculosis is a rare but fatal condition. The risk of pseudoaneurysm rupture is extremely high and this disease needs greater awareness. The present study reported a case of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm caused by paravertebral cold abscess with spinal tuberculosis. Case presentation: A 35-year-old woman with back pain was diagnosed with thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm with spinal tuberculosis, and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed. The patient's symptoms disappeared after EVAR, following which she was discharged. Conclusions: The case highlighted that in cases where non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed that the aortic vessel was surrounded by a paravertebral abscess, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed to confirm whether the presence of a pseudoaneurysm. Upon diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm, surgery should be performed immediately. In recent times, EVAR has emerged as a promising alternative to open surgery.

Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Due to Screw Dislodgment Following Anterior Spinal Approach. Complex Surgical Management of Both Issues: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

A few descriptions about anterior thoracic arthrodesis causing thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysms due to late screw loosening are mentioned in the literature. We report a case that describes a hybrid approach complicated with an aortic injury when removing a screw from the aortic wall. A 57-year-old man was initially operated on for scoliosis due to poliomyelitis using dorsal thoracolumbar in situ fusion at an early age. At adulthood, the patient complained of spinal cord compression and severe myelopathy due to D9-D10 nonunion, and the patient required a double surgical approach. Almost a year later, he was diagnosed with a thoracic aneurysm caused by late screw loosening from the anterior plate. A hybrid approach was used to treat the aortic pseudoaneurysm (endograft stent) and for anterior vertebral hardware removal (rethoracotomy). Although an aortic stent was covering the aortic lumen, during the open part of the procedure, an aortic injury took place when removing the screw, requiring quick cross clamping and repair. Anterior vertebral hardware removal after a previous anterior spinal approach is a technically highly demanding procedure. As unexpected life-threatening complications can occur, this procedure should be performed in a setting with the capacity for both endovascular and open aortic repair.

A Case of Descending Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Associated with Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Removal

Vascular injuries after spine surgery may result in acute life-threatening hemorrhage, chronic arteriovenous fistula, or pseudoaneurysm formation. The interval between injury and rupture may range from seconds to years, and accordingly, a high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis. Although acute and delayed vascular injury caused by placement of posterior pedicle screw fixation has been reported, the potential for large vessel disruption during posterior pedicle screw removal has been rarely reported. This case report concerns a 50-year-old man who developed an descending thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm after posterior pedicle screw removal, diagnosed by chest computed tomography(CT) scan and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE).