Paralysis: a rare presentation of abdominal aortic aneurysm thrombosis

We report an acute thrombosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting with paralysis of a lower extremity. The usual presentation of such thrombosis is vascular compromise of the lower extremities. When the thrombus obstructs the artery of Adamkiewicz, the main blood supply to the lower spinal cord, spinal ischemia and paralysis can occur. Mechanisms of aortic occlusion and treatment of aortic thrombosis are briefly outlined.