Delayed neurologic deficit after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Abstract

Paraplegia or paraparesis secondary to spinal cord ischemia is an extremely rare complication after elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. We report delayed paraparesis after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in which one hypogastric artery was unintentionally occluded due to atheroembolism. A spinal catheter was immediately inserted after onset of paraplegia to promote cerebrospinal fluid drainage, which partially reversed the neurologic deficit. Our case underscores both the importance of the critical spinal collateral supply from the hypogastric artery and the role of spinal fluid drainage to maximize spinal cord perfusion in the setting of spinal cord ischemia.