Infected endovascular aneurysm repair graft complicated by vertebral osteomyelitis

Abstract

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is now an established method of treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. Endovascular stent graft infection is a rare complication of EVAR. Diagnosis can be difficult and subsequent management challenging as a significant number of patients are unfit for further surgery and, untreated, graft infection is almost inevitably fatal. We present a case of an infected EVAR graft complicated by vertebral osteomyelitis that was treated conservatively. We discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties encountered and review the current literature on this evolving subject.