CT DIAGNOSIS OF AORTIC PSEUDOANEURYSM CAUSING VERTEBRAL EROSION

A case in which computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a false aneurysm of the aorta that had developed from rupture at an aneurysmectomy site and resulted in anterior vertebral erosion is described. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of CT detection of this circumstance. Intermittent transmitted pulsation from the encased aorta is postulated as the direct cause of the erosion. The contribution of the erythematous, inflamed, yet uninfected pseudocapsule to the erosive process is speculative. The significance of this report is that CT not only demonstrated the pathology, but simultaneously eliminated the other causes of vertebral erosion. This suggests that CT should be considered earlier in the evaluation of the study.