Aortic Pseudo-aneurysm due to Traumatic Avulsion of an Intercostal Artery

Posttraumatic pseudo-aneurysms of the descending thoracic due to a traumatic avulsion of an intercostal artery at its origin are rare. We report a 48-year-old male, developing a symptomatic false aneurysm after a severe blunt trauma to his back during a skiing accident. An attempt of coil embolisation failed. Considering the risks of paraplegia by overlapping the very close Adamkiewicz’ artery with a stent graft, thoracotomy with open surgical repair was done successfully by means of cross-stitch suture. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) follow ups, performed 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery, revealed a definite closure.