Sudden Onset of Paraplegia: A Rare Presentation of a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abstract & Overview

Abdominal aortic aneurysms represent an asymptomatic disease that is characterized by the localized pathological dilatation of the infrarenal aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are generally diagnosed incidentally and treated surgically. However, underdiagnosis and lack of high-risk population surveillance contributes to high rates of complications and mortality due to the ultimate rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms. When symptomatic, abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture usually presents with abdominal or back pain, abdominal pulsatile mass and hemodynamic instability.