Ruptured external iliac artery aneurysm: A case report

Introduction: Iliac artery aneurysms are rare, with isolated iliac artery aneurysms responsible for only 2 % of all aneurysmal diseases. External iliac artery (EIA) aneurysms are extremely rare, and the exact cause is unknown. In this case, we report a giant aneurysm without any risk factor presented with rupture and managed by open repair. Presentation of case: An 85-year-old man presented to the emergency department with sudden onset right lower quadrant abdominal pain and vague right lower limb pain. After a complete physical examination, an abdominopelvic CT scan revealed an 80 mm EIA aneurysm containing thrombosis and active leakage. The patient underwent open repair of an aneurysm using a graft between the Aorta and EIA. The surgery was uneventful. Later in the ICU, the patient experienced a cardiac arrest and unfortunately could not recover from it. Discussion: In this case, a patient with a relatively large aneurysm presented with abdominal pain and lower limb discomfort. Although endovascular surgery is recommended for the repair of iliac aneurysms, open repair is common for ruptured aneurysms. Endovascular repair is less invasive but may lead to contrast-induced renal dysfunction. Open repair may induce complications such as sexual dysfunctions, graft infection, and pelvic ischemic conditions. Conclusion: EIA aneurysms are exceedingly rare. They may present with a Rupture that puts the patient in critical condition, such as in this case. Due to the hemodynamic instability, open repair is considered one of the main approaches for repairing the aneurysm.