Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair complicated by spondylodiscitis and iliaco-enteral fistula

J Vasc Surg. 2008 Jun;47(6):1330-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2007.12.047.

Abstract

Infections of abdominal aortic endografts are rare. There are no reports on the association with spondylodiscitis. We report a case of a 74-year-old man who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and subsequently femorofemoral bypass placement due to occlusion of the right limb of the endograft. Six months later, he presented with rectal bleeding, weight loss, back pain, and low abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed extensive abscess formation with air in and around the endograft and psoas muscles, in continuity with destructive spondylodiscitis L3-4. There was a small bowel loop in close proximity to the occluded right leg of the endograft, which was filled with air bubbles. An axillofemoral bypass was created followed by a laparotomy. Intra-operatively, an iliaco-enteral fistula was found. The small bowel defect was sutured, the endograft completely removed, and the infrarenal aorta and both common iliac arteries were closed. Necrotic fragments of the former L3-4 disk were removed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Seven months postoperatively, the patient had recovered well. Iliaco-enteric fistula and spondylodiscitis are rare complications of aortic aneurysm repair. This is the first report of spondylodiscitis after EVAR.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / surgery*
  • Aortography
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Device Removal
  • Discitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Discitis / etiology*
  • Discitis / microbiology
  • Discitis / therapy
  • Graft Occlusion, Vascular / etiology
  • Graft Occlusion, Vascular / surgery
  • Humans
  • Iliac Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Iliac Artery* / microbiology
  • Iliac Artery* / surgery
  • Intestinal Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestinal Fistula / etiology*
  • Intestinal Fistula / microbiology
  • Intestinal Fistula / therapy
  • Laparotomy
  • Male
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / complications
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / etiology*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / therapy
  • Reoperation
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Vascular Fistula / etiology*
  • Vascular Fistula / microbiology
  • Vascular Fistula / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents