Aortitis with aneurysm formation as a rare complication of Wegener's granulomatosis

Abstract

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic vasculitis of medium-sized and small blood vessels. Aortic involvement in WG is very uncommon. We present a 43-year-old patient with an aortitis with aneurysm formation as a manifestation of WG. The patient was operated on and an aortoiliac Dacron inlay graft was inserted. Postoperatively, he recovered uneventfully. Abdominal pain occurring during a WG flare may result from vasculitis of large abdominal arteries with or without aneurysmatic changes for which surgical treatment and immunosuppressive agents are indicated to prevent a possible rupture.