[Pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to retroperitoneal lymph nodes, diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and treated by embolization].
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to retroperitoneal enlarged lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 40 years old patient, with known sarcoma and metastatic retroperitoneal lymph nodes was referred for abdominal ultrasound because severe abdominal pain after defecation. RESULTS: The Doppler examination revealed magma of retroperitoneal lymph nodes surrounding the abdominal aorta inside of which a saccular collection of circulating blood, communicating with the aorta, was detected. The spectrum registered in the channel revealed a bidirectional flow compatible with a pseudoaneurysm. MR angiography confirmed the diagnosis. Successful occlusion was done by coil embolization. CONCLUSION: Pseudoaneurysms of the abdominal aorta are very rare. We report the first case of pseudoaneurysm arising in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Diagnosis by Doppler ultrasound allowed a rapid treatment by embolization.