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Abstract
Aneurysms that simultaneously involve the thoracic and abdominal aorta and the visceral aortic segment are referred to as thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAA).
Majority of TAA are degenerative in nature and occur in association with hypertension, smoking and diffuse vascular disease. TAA are classified according to the scheme originally devised by Crawford which in the most basic terms considers whether the lesion is principally a cauded extension of a descending thoracic aneurysm or a cephalad extension of a total abdominal aneurysm. This classification is clinically useful, since it has direct implication for both the technical conduct of the operation, and the risk of operative complications, in particular spinal cord injury. Totally asymptomatic presentation is common, as is detection of TAA during radiographic investigations for other causes. A frequent symptom is back pain localized to the left lower hemithorax or middle back and epigastric pain.