Etiopathological Association Between Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm And Lumbar Scoliosis

Cases of lumbar scoliosis are often incidentally discovered on radiology or present in the orthopedic OPD with minor symptoms. They are symptomatically treated and further investigations are generally not advised. Such a case can suddenly die due to ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), which develops silently as acomplication of the lumbar scoliosis. An incidental finding of AAA, left common lliac artery aneurysm and significant Lumbar scoliosis which deformed the abdominal aorta, was noted in a male cadaver of apx. 40 year age. The region was dissected, photographed, radiographed and the aortic aneurysm area was histopathologically examined. Effects of hemodynamic stress and arterial resonance phenomenon on the development of aneurysms is discussed. It si concluded that lumbar scoliosis and other spinal deformities can lead to aneurysms in major arteries and therefore suggested that patients of lumbar scoliosis should be followed up periodically by appropriate investigations to avoid such a dangerous complications of ruptured AAA.