title: Thoracoabdominal aneurysms and changes in adjacent vertebral bodies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess if chronic intermittent pressure of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) induces structural changes in vertebral bodies and if eroded vertebral bones can still be found after the extermination of syphilis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with TAAA was performed. In the anatomical regions were the TAAA was in close contact with the vertebral bodies, the vertebral body alteration was distinguished into 4 categories. Category 0: no changes; 1: discrete changes, minimal asymmetry; 2: obvious asymmetry of the vertebral body with sustained cortical layer; 3: severe destruction of the vertebral body with loss of the cortical layer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six CT scans of patients (mean age 63; range 25-82 years) with TAAA pathology were examined (24 female, 62 male). The mean aneurysm diameter was 6.5 cm (4.3-14 cm). The results for scoring were: category 0: 33 patients; category 1: 46 patients; category 2: 5 patients and category 3: 2 patients. One of the category 3 patients suffered from acute spinal cord compression with complete paraplegia. In total, 62% of patients showed some degree of changes at vertebral bodies adjacent to the TAAA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intermittent pressure by either dissecting or non-dissecting TAAAs may induce structural changes in the vertebral bodies of the spine. Severe destruction of the bone is a rare, but existing complication.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, European Vascular Center Aachen-Maastricht, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kalder
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Greiner
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Grommes
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mahnken
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Jalaie
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed