Traumatic dissection in an inflammatory aneurysm

Primary dissections of the abdominal aorta are rare (0.4–4% of aortic dissections) and in most cases are traumatic (accidental or iatrogenic) in origin. The authors describe a case of iatrogenic dissection of the abdominal aorta following arteriography. The macroscopic and histological appearance of the aortic wall was compatible with an inflammatory aneurysm. In this type of aneurysm and in the presence of aortoiliac atherosclerosis, aortic catheterization carries a risk of aortic wall dissection.