Tuberculous Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – an Uncommon Association with Vertebral Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis of aortic aneurysm was first 1 reported in 1882 . It usually results from direct extension of the disease from the contagious tuberculous spines and clinically present with backache, low grade fever, weight loss and abdominal pain. . Early diagnosis and a combination of surgical intervention (aortic reconstruction and extensive excision of the infected field) and prolonged anti tuberculosis drug therapy provide good results. All of our six cases were treated with surgical debridement, aortic restoration with graft or synthetic patch and long term anti tuberculosis therapy. Five patients had an uneventful recovery. One patient with suprarenal aortic aneurysm died 6 hours after the surgery.