[Type III endoleaks at follow-up of covered descending thoracic aortic stent-grafts: report of 3 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the imaging work-up and management of type III endoleaks detected after covered stent-graft treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms.


METHODS
Retrospective study of circumstances surrounding the diagnosis, management and outcome type III endoleaks occuring in 3 of 18 patients following covered stent-graft treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms between April 1998 and July 2005. The endoleaks were detected at a mean follow-up of 22 months (19-24 months) after stent-graft placement.


RESULTS
The type III endoleaks were detected on scheduled follow-up CT examinations in asymptomatic patients. Endovascular management was proposed at a mean interval time of 4.4 months (1 week - 11 months) after diagnosis of the endoleak, and was successful in all 3 cases. One patient died 1 month after endovascular repeai of the leak, 1 patient required surgical management at 14 months for new recurrence, and 1 patient had a favorable outcome at 2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Follow-up of patients after covered stent-graft treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms is required. Prompt endovascular repair of delayed complications may be possible, but surgical management may become necessary.
Service de Radiologie B, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Hôpital G Montpied, 58, rue Montalembert, BP 69, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand.
P
P
Chabrot
T
T
Chahid
K
K
Azarnoush
L
L
Cassagnes
J M
JM
Garcier
L
L
Camilleri
L
L
Boyer
D000792:Angiography; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome