Internal carotid artery trauma due to elongated styloid process – a review of case reports

INTRODUCTION: Stylocarotid syndrome is caused by the conflict between the styloid process and the vascular structures leading to carotid artery dissection (CAD) or compression. Being headache the most common initial symptom in patients with spontaneous CAD, eagle syndrome could be one explanation for some so-called spontaneous dissections since this symptom is also common in this syndrome. METHODS: Afrer analyzing the reported cases on Pubmed and Embase databases we divided the cases in compression and CAD groups ending up with completely different groups in terms of clinical presentation, management and follow-up. RESULTS: While management of compression group seems quite straightforward, the same is not true when CAD is present. Whether delayed styloidectomy after medical management plays a role in CAD, as it does for the compression group, is something to investigate

Effectiveness of statins on haemodialysis patients with concomitant peripheral arterial disease – a narrative review

INTRODUCTION: The use of statins in hemodialysis patients is a topic of ongoing research and debate. Patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis constitute a large proportion of patients treated in the vascular surgery field. Clinical data of the protective statin effect on this group is scarce and conflicting results exist regarding cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and limb outcomes. METHODS: We performed a thorough electronic search of the literature using PubMed and Embase databases to understand the relationship between statin effect and cardiovascular, limb outcomes and cerebrovascular outcomes. A narrative review was constructed, based on the obtained literature. RESULTS: Although the use of statins in hemodialysis patients may provide cardiovascular benefits, the optimal dosage and safety profile of these medications in this population remain uncertain. A carefully evaluation of the risks and benefits of statins should be made based on each patient's specific requirements and circumstances. CONCLUSION: The role of statins for patients with peripheral arterial disease who are on hemodialysis remains unclear. Further analyses should focus on this subgroup of dialysis patients, who are becoming more prevalent on the vascular surgery departments, allowing for an optimized treatment with better patient outcomes

Blunt traumatic injuries of thoracic aorta and supra-aortic trunks - a narrative review

INTRODUCTION: Blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAI) are defined as a tear in the thoracic aorta caused by a high energy blunt trauma. The most common reported mechanism of injury is motor vehicle accidents, and it can be potentially lethal. The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) guidelines recommend thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as the first line treatment for BTAI. Other controversies regarding BTAI management were reported in the literature, such as the best treatment for minimal aortic injuries with intimal tear, ideal stent graft oversizing, best timing for treatment and necessity to cover the left subclavian artery (LSA). The purpose of this review is to identify and analyze appropriate studies published so far about the management of BTAI. METHODS: We performed a thorough electronic search of the literature using PubMed and Embase databases. We used the following combination of key words in our search strategy ((aortic injury) AND (blunt thoracic trauma)) AND (vascular surgery* OR treatment* OR TEVAR*). Articles not in English were excluded. The primary subject was results of endovascular treatment. Secondary subjects were indications and results of OSR, best timing for intervention, ideal graft oversizing, need for left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage, and management of BTAI grade I (intimal tear). RESULTS: Data related to our primary and secondary subjects were extracted from the selected articles. TEVAR is considered the primary treatment for BTAI, if the patient has suitable anatomy, with good short and mid-term outcomes, with lower mortality and paraplegia rates at short and mid-term follow-up, compared to OSR. Despite good term results at short-term follow-up after TEVAR, long-term outcomes are still a concern. OSR is still a valid option in selected cases, and it should be considered for patients whose injury location is unsuitable for the endovascular approach. In most patients with BTAI, it is recommended around 10% of graft oversizing. However, a more aggressive approach with oversizing between 10-20% should be considered for patients with considerable hypotension and even >20% for patients presenting with severe hypotensive hemorrhagic shock. A necessity of LSA coverage has been reported in 30% of TEVAR for urgent treatment of BTAI, and it seems to be well tolerated. We should considered expectant approach with serial follow-up CT scans in patients with BTAI grade I injuries with asymptomatic intimal aortic tear. CONCLUSIONS: This literature review reports and synthetizes published data about the management strategies for BTAI. TEVAR seems to be effective in the treatment of BTAI, with few complications and good outcomes at short and mid-term follow-up, and it should be the first-line treatment for these patients. OSR should be an option when a patient’s injury is not suitable for endovascular approach

Descending Thoracic Aorta as inflow for primary revascularization of aorto-iliac occlusive disease – review of the last 30 years

INTRODUCTION: The descending thoracic aorta (DTA) has been used as inflow mostly as a secondary option for revascularization after either graft failure/infection or other intra-abdominal pathologies contraindicating a standard abdominal aortic approach. The objective of this review is to summarize current evidence on the use of this inflow site for revascularization procedures. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic literature search was performed, using PubMed and Embase databases. All literature published in English in the last 30 years was considered. The main goal was to assess the feasibility and practicality of implementing this approach in cases of severe and complex aortoiliac lesions. RESULTS: Our review comprised 11 articles. DTA has been used predominately as a secondary option. The 30-day mortality rate was 4% (9/222). Secondary graft patency at 5-years was generally high across all studies. The use of DTA as inflow has been shown to be a safe and effective option for aorto-iliac reconstruction. CONCLUSION: DTA can be used safely as an inflow for lower-limb revascularization and it remains an important tool in the vascular surgeon's armamentarium

Infected Thrombosed Popliteal Artery Aneurysm With Cutaneous Fistula

Introduction: Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) pose some challenges in their surgical management and are often treated by exclusion and bypass procedures. However, post-operative complications, such as endoleaks and sac growth, can occur, potentially leading to serious consequences. Endoleaks, characterised by persistent flow within the aneurysm sac after repair, can cause sac expansion, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes, including the formation of cutaneous fistulae, a rare but potentially severe complication. Report: A 75 year old male with a history of previous bilateral PAA exclusion with a left femoropopliteal bypass using reversed great saphenous vein (GSV) graft in 2012 and a right femoropopliteal bypass using a PTFE prosthesis in 2017, both through medial approach, presented with pain and ulceration in the left popliteal region. Previous angiography had shown residual arterial flow through collateral vessels, requiring thrombin injection. Bilateral bypass thrombosis had also occurred after discontinuing anticoagulation. Computed tomography angiography confirmed a complicated excluded left popliteal aneurysm with superinfection. The patient underwent elective surgery, involving partial aneurysmectomy, endoaneurysmorrhaphy, and fistulectomy through a posterior approach. Post-operatively, the patient experienced resolution of symptoms and inflammatory signs. Discussion: The optimal approach for treating PAAs remains a subject of debate, with some experts advocating the posterior approach to prevent sac growth. However, others support the medial approach, reporting satisfactory results. In this case, the medial approach resulted in incomplete exclusion, leading to sac expansion and a cutaneous fistula. Timely re-intervention through the posterior approach successfully resolved the complication. This report highlights a rare but serious complication of incomplete PAA exclusion. Vigilant post-operative surveillance and intervention are crucial to manage such cases effectively. Further research is warranted to determine the optimal approach for PAA repair and prevent associated complications

A closer look at aortic seat belt injuries: review of 52 cases published in the last 60 years

INTRODUCTION: Seat belt aorta is a rare but often severe complication arising from blunt trauma with compression of the abdominal aorta against vertebrae. Seat belt sign is often present as an ecchymosis across the abdomen. The association with abdominal wall disruption and hollow viscus injury has been named seat belt triad; the presence of Chance fracture is sometimes considered a fourth component. METHODS: Using Pubmed and Embase databases we reviewed all articles regarding abdominal seat belt aortic injuries and analysed presentation at admission, concomitant lesions, including presence of seat belt triad, treatment and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases were reported, from 1968 to 2019. Twenty-nine males (56%), mean age 43 ± 19 years. Most patients were stable at admission, with 29 (55.8%) presenting acute abdomen, 26 (50%) limb ischemia, 9 (17.3%) hypovolemic shock and 2 (3.8%) late-onset claudication. Seat belt sign was identified in 40 patients (76.9%), seat belt triad in 38 (73.1%) and 22 (42.3%) had Chance fractures, of which only 2 were not associated with seat belt triad. Most patients presented with aortic dissection (90.4%), complicated with pseudoaneurysm (11.5%), contained rupture (7.7%) or uncontained rupture (3.8%); 2 patients presented isolated iliac thrombosis and 3 limb ischemia. All patients required immediate surgical intervention, of which 40 (76.9%) required urgent vascular surgery. Forty-eight patients (92.3%) underwent vascular surgery: 39 open revascularizations and 9 endovascular procedures; three were managed conservatively. Ten patients (19.2%) passed away or died, of which 7 had seat belt triad. No patients needed reinterventions for vascular lesions except one, yet 3 required limb amputation. Most patients with seat belt triad required further visceral and abdominal wall repair. CONCLUSIONS: Seat belt aorta and especially seat belt triad are severe complications associated with high morbimortality often requiring surgery and multiple interventions. As patients are usually conscious and stable upon admission, this condition should not be disregarded

Giant Sac Growth: A Hybrid Approach to Treat a Misdiagnosed Late Type IIIb Endoleak

Introduction: Endoleaks are a common complication following endovascular aneurysm repair, yet type IIIb are rare, especially with newer devices, and associated with high morbidity due to repressurisation of the sac. As endografts are used in patients with longer life expectancy, late type IIIb endoleaks are to be expected. This is a report of a giant common iliac aneurysm resulting from a misdiagnosed type IIIb endoleak. Report: An 85 year old man with history of right common iliac artery aneurysm, treated in 2003 with an EXCLUDER AAA Endoprosthesis (WL Gore, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) with iliac limb extension into the external iliac artery, presented at the emergency department with abdominal pain, hypotension, and syncope. He had a known endoleak, unsuccessfully treated by relining the right iliac stent graft overlap zones for a suspected type IIIa endoleak (2009), coil embolisation, and computed tomography (CT) guided thrombin injection of the aneurysmatic sac for a type II (2010), none of which managed to treat the cause with continuous aneurysm growth. The patient refused further treatments, but agreed to maintain surveillance. At admission, CT angiography showed common iliac aneurysm (185 × 134 mm) sac rupture without a visible endoleak. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) technique was performed to obtain haemodynamic control, then the aneurysm was approached through a midline incision. A type IIIb endoleak was identified due to a fabric tear on the right iliac limb extension. Suture was attempted without success, then relining of the lesion with an Endurant II Limb (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was performed, which managed to repair the endoleak. Discussion: Type IIIb endoleaks are uncommon and underdiagnosed due to fabric defects being too small or leaking intermittently. They can mimic other types of endoleaks and may cause aneurysm growth and rupture. One should consider this type of endoleak if previous treatments for other types were unsuccessful

Ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula due to an aortoiliac aneurysm – case report

Ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula occurs in 1% of all common iliac artery aneurysms, a rare complication of this identity. A variety of symptoms appear depending on the size and location of the fistula, making the correct diagnosis quite difficult, only 37–52% of the cases are diagnosed before surgery. We report a case of an abdominal infrarenal aneurysm and right common iliac aneurysm, with fistula into the left common iliac vein, presenting with acute nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea and left leg edema, inducing to the incorrect diagnosis of venous thromboembolism

Treatment of coral reef aorta with descending thoracic aorta bypass: A case report and literature review

Descending thoracic aorta (DTA) inflow has been utilized as a secondary choice for restoring blood flow in cases of aortoiliac occlusive disease. This option is considered when graft failure, infection, or other intra-abdominal conditions contraindicates the use of the standard abdominal aortic approach. Additionally, when the abdominal aorta develops extensive and complicated circumferential calcified lesions, making it unsafe to clamp this segment, a DTA bypass can serve as a secure and effective alternative. It remains an important tool in the arsenal of vascular surgeons. The presence of coral reef aorta, a rare condition characterized by outwardly projecting calcified plaques on the juxtarenal and visceral aorta, poses a challenge in determining the best treatment approach, as it has yet to be defined