An attempt to classify the collateral systems in total occlusions at different levels of the lumbar aorta and pelvic arteries: causes and consequences.

18 cases of total occlusion of the lumbar aorta of one common iliac artery are discussed. The collateral patterns, described in the literature, were classified into eight groups, according the localization of the occlusion. Also a new collateral plexus of paravertebral arteries was observed. A survey of the scattered information in the literature of the last five years, about the incidence and the causes and consequences of total lumbar aortic occlusion, is given.