Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta caused by a severe migration of an anterior spinal device

Background ContextCase report.PurposeTo describe the case of pseudoaneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta caused by the severe migration of an anterior spinal device 5 years after surgery.Study Design/SettingCase report.MethodsA 70-year-old woman was referred to us because of migrated anterior spinal devices and a pseudoaneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta. This patient had undergone anterior corpectomy and spinal fusion from Th12 to L2 because of delayed palsy after a burst fracture using a smooth rod Kaneda device (SRK) with bioactive ceramic (apatite-wollastonite containing glass ceramic) at a local hospital. She had persistent low back pain after the surgery.ResultsFive years after the initial surgery, the patient was referred to us because of increasing of her low back pain and the migrated SRK devices shown on plain X-ray films. An enhanced computed tomography scan taken in our hospital clearly showed a pseudoaneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta surrounding the SRK devices. The pseudoaneurysm was resected, the aortic defect was repaired with an artificial patch, and the migrated SRK devices were removed.ConclusionsThe pseudoaneurysm of the aorta can occur secondary to a migrated anterior spinal fixation device and can be successfully treated by revision anterior surgery with vascular repair and implant removal.