Aortoiliac occlusive disease
Updates to Article Attributes
Aorto-iliac occlusive disease refers to complete occlusion of the aorta distal to the renal arteries.
Terminology
When the clinical triad of impotence, pelvis and thigh claudication, and absence of the femoral pulses are present, it may also be called Leriche syndrome, which usually affects younger (30-40 years old) males 9.
Clinical presentation
Aortoiliac occlusive disease is more common in elderly with an advanced atherosclerotic disease. Acute onset is more common in female patients and is associated with poor outcome with approximately 50% mortality.
In acute cases, symptoms include the 6 PsP's:
- pain
- pulselessness
- pallor
- paresthesia
- paralysis
- prostration
In chronic onset cases, mostly in arteriosclerosis, symptoms may include erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Pathology
The condition can be acute or chronic.
Location
Most often the occlusion occurs near the aortic bifurcation. It typically begins at the distal aorta or common iliac artery origins and slowly progresses proximally and distally over time.
Aetiology
- arteriosclerosis: the main cause of this syndrome is an atherosclerotic obstruction of aortoiliac arteries 2
- vasculitis
- thrombosis
A large network of collateral parietal and visceral vessels may form to bypass any segment of the aortoiliac arterial system. In abdominal aortoiliac stenosis and occlusion, the most commonly occurring collateral pathways to the lower extremities are 5
- superior mesenteric artery > inferior mesenteric artery > superior rectal artery > middle and inferior rectal arteries > external iliac arteries
- intercostal, subcostal, and lumbar arteries > superior gluteal and iliolumbar arteries > internal iliac arteries > external iliac arteries.
- intercostal, subcostal, and lumbar arteries > circumflex arteries > external iliac arteries
- subclavian arteries > internal thoracic (mammary) arteries > superior epigastric arteries > inferior epigastric arteries > external iliac arteries (the Winslow Pathway7)
Radiographic features
CT angiography is usually the best modality for assessment. In patients where CT is not possible, contrast-enhanced MR angiography may be a good option 4.
CT angiography
Allows direct anatomical visualisation of the location of the stenosis and occlusion, the presence of a concomitant occlusive disease affecting visceral arteries, the type and extent of collateralization, and the level of the most proximal and distal arterial segments amenable to stent-graft placement.
Treatment and prognosis
Traditional surgical treatments for aortoiliac occlusive disease are 8
- aortoiliac endarterectomy (TEA)
- aortobifemoral bypass (AFB)
- axillofemoral bypass (extra-anatomic technique); used to avoid abdominal surgery
- percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting
History and etymology
It is named after French surgeon René Leriche who initially described the findings in 1948 3.
Differential diagnosis
Imaging differential considerations include
- mid aortic syndrome: occurs at or above renal artery level with a longer segment involvement and usually in much younger patients (usually 10-30 years old)
-<p> <strong>A</strong><strong>orto-iliac occlusive disease </strong>refers to complete occlusion of the aorta distal to the renal arteries.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>When the clinical triad of impotence, pelvis and thigh claudication, and absence of the femoral pulses are present, it may also be called <strong>Leriche syndrome</strong>, which usually affects younger (30-40 years old) males <sup>9</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Aortoiliac occlusive disease is more common in elderly with an advanced atherosclerotic disease. Acute onset is more common in female patients and is associated with poor outcome with approximately 50% mortality.</p><p>In acute cases, symptoms include the 6 Ps:</p><ul>- +<p> <strong>A</strong><strong>orto-iliac occlusive disease </strong>refers to complete occlusion of the aorta distal to the renal arteries.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>When the clinical triad of impotence, pelvis and thigh claudication, and absence of the femoral pulses are present, it may also be called <strong>Leriche syndrome</strong>, which usually affects younger (30-40 years old) males <sup>9</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Aortoiliac occlusive disease is more common in elderly with an advanced atherosclerotic disease. Acute onset is more common in female patients and is associated with poor outcome with approximately 50% mortality.</p><p>In acute cases, symptoms include the 6 P's:</p><ul>
Image 15 CT (C+ arterial phase) ( create )
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