Rupture of the Abdominal Aorta without Aneurysm Associated with Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report

Abstract

We report a case of an abdominal aortic rupture without aneurysm associated with giant cell arteritis. A 67-year-old woman presented with lower back pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a massive retroperitoneal hematoma with contrast leakage from the abdominal aorta, suggestive of abdominal aortic rupture. During emergency surgery, a rupture site was identified on the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta, while no aneurysmal changes or dilatation of the abdominal aorta were observed. Histopathological examination of the resected aortic wall revealed infiltration of giant cells positive for CD68, leading to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.