Influence of treatment of type II leaks on the aneurysm surface area

Objectives: to determine whether interventional treatment of type II endole aks leads to a decrease in aneurysm surface area. Material and Methods: type II endoleaks were detected in a group of 14 male patients (median age: 70.2 years) following endovascular repair of a total number of 160 infrarenal aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. The surface are a of the aneurysm was determined by computed tomography (CT) pre- and posto peratively and at subsequent follow-up examinations. If type II endoleaks w ere documented at CT, patients underwent treatment by means of coil embolis ation. Results: Interventional treatment resulted in successful occlusion of type II endoleaks in eight patients. One of the cases exhibited spontaneous occl usion. Occlusion was associated with an average decrease in aneurysm surfac e area of 3.3 cm(3) (p = 0.01). In one of these patients, treatment resulte d in a temporary occlusion of the endoleaks, also with associated decrease in aneurysm size. After recurrence of the type II endoleak, however, the pa tient experienced an increase in aneurysm surface area. Conclusion: only complete occlusion of endoleaks results in decrease in the size of the aneurysm sac. Because of endotension and the risk of rupture w e favour an early interventional treatment of type II endoleaks.