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

Abstract

Primary angiosarcoma of the aorta is a rare tumor. The symptoms resemble those of atherosclerotic occlusive disease, and the radiomorphologic pattern is often nonspecific. In most published cases, the malignant vascular obstruction was diagnosed histopathologically after surgical vascular reconstruction. We report on interventional and CT-angiographic features of an abdominal aortic angiosarcoma, observed in a 71-year-old patient. The polyploid intimal alteration is clearly depicted on CT images. Morphology and the segmental obstruction of the aortic lumen without aneurysmal or extensive atherosclerotic mural changes should lead to the differential diagnosis of an intravascular malignancy.