Vascular Pathology: A Multifocal Cadaveric Analysis of Arterial Aneurysms

Sarah Aly; Samantha Anderson; Zachary Arnold; Jeanette Ramos; David Davies; Noor Akhter; Tiffany Huitt; Mohsin Syed; Victoria Amonsin; Jessica Arrington; Jade-Michael Matthews; Erica Malone

doi:10.61797/ijcsav.v6i2.565

Sarah Aly Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Samantha Anderson Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Zachary Arnold Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Jeanette Ramos Faculty, Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
David Davies Faculty, Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Noor Akhter Faculty, Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Tiffany Huitt Faculty, Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Mohsin Syed Faculty, Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Victoria Amonsin Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Jessica Arrington Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Jade-Michael Matthews Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
Erica Malone Faculty, Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61797/ijcsav.v6i2.565

Keywords: Donor dissection, Arterial aneurysm, Abdominal aorta, Common iliac arteries, Internal iliac arteries, Femoral arteries, Popliteal arteries, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Giant abdominal aneurysm

Abstract

This case study aims to describe an extensive and rare case regarding the discovery of multisystemic aneurysms identified during cadaveric dissection spanning multiple vascular territories including the abdominal aorta, common and internal iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries. This case serves to provide an understanding of anatomical diversity and the potential clinical implications for the development of widespread arterial aneurysms, including the prospective possibility regarding the influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and connective tissue disorders on aneurysm formation. Anatomic and pathologic observations were made of a phenol-fixed elderly male cadaveric donor with a known history of COPD during an eight-week anatomical dissection course. Biopsy tissue samples collected from the superior lobe of the right lung, left ventricle of the heart, left anterior descending coronary artery, lymph node, and right common iliac artery were histologically analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Dissection revealed eleven atherosclerotic and non-ruptured aneurysms located in the abdominal aorta, bilateral common iliac, internal iliac, bilateral proximal and distal femoral, and popliteal arteries. No evidence of surgical intervention was found. This case illustrates widespread arterial aneurysms and emphasizes the value of cadaveric studies in detecting rare vascular presentations that may have significant implications for diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical intervention. Additionally, the potential correlation with COPD and connective tissue disorders invites further investigation into systemic contributions to aneurysm formation.