Primary sarcoma of the distal abdominal aorta: CT angiography findings

Abstract

Primary aortic angiosarcomas are extremely rare. Clinically and radiographically, they mimic atherosclerosis and atheroembolic disease. For a definitive diagnosis, histologic evaluation of the tumor or of peripheral emboli is required. The imaging findings are frequently nonspecific and in most published cases did not allow a definitive preoperative diagnosis. This is the first report of the computed tomographic angiographic findings of a primary intimal abdominal aortic sarcoma and a review of previously described imaging findings in these tumors.

Primary angiosarcoma of the abdominal aorta: multi-row computed tomography

“…Embolic occlusion of peripheral or mesenteric arteries occurs as well as intermittent claudication, abdominal pain, back pain, or metastatic complications [4,[6][7][8]. Aortic angiosarcoma may even coincide with pathology and clinical symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm [7].…”

“…CT angiographic images may show a filling defect in the lumen of the aorta, iliac arteries or mesenteric artery origin [8].…”

“…It arises from intimal endothelial cells (intima type) and myofibroblastic cells (mural type). Only a few cases have been reported so far [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

18F-FDG PET/CT for Detecting Sarcoma of the Aorta in a Patient with Takayasu Arteritis

“…Primary malignancies such as angiosarcoma of the aorta are extremely rare. They occur more frequently in men with a male-tofemale ratio of 2:1 [1][2][3]. The average age of those affected is in their 60s [1][2][3].…”

“…They occur more frequently in men with a male-tofemale ratio of 2:1 [1][2][3]. The average age of those affected is in their 60s [1][2][3]. At the time of initial presentation, >50 % of patients have metastatic disease [3][4][5].…”