Paraparesis after thoracic stent-graft relining for an unrecognized type III endoleak.
BACKGROUND
We examined the reasons for missing a type III endoleak on conventional imaging and the pathophysiology of paraparesis after relining this stent graft.


RESULTS
A 46-year-old man was treated with a thoracic stent graft for thoracic rupture of a chronic type B thoracoabdominal dissection with aneurysm formation. In a second intervention, retrograde revascularization of the visceral and renal arteries was performed in combination with insertion of an abdominal stent graft. After initial shrinkage of the aneurysmal sac, the thoracic aortic diameter started increasing again. Consecutive three-phase helical computed tomographic scans did not reveal any endoleak. Because of unbearable back pain, an open surgical exploration was performed. This showed a type III endoleak. Relining of the thoracic stent graft was performed, but paraparesis developed.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with unexplained increase of the aneurysmal sac contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging could help to illuminate the underlying endoleak. The collateral network concept can explain spinal cord injury by even minor hemodynamic changes.
Volders
David
D
Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Fourneau
Inge
I
Daenens
Kim
K
Houthoofd
Sabrina
S
Maleux
Geert
G
Nevelsteen
André
A
D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020335:Paraparesis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome