[Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the iliac artery combined with abdominal aortic aneurysm--a case report].

A 76-year-old woman with abdominal aortic aneurysm was referred to our hospital with a complaint of abdominal pulsatile mass. CT and angiogram revealed infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with right common iliac aneurysm. AAA was replaced with the bifurcated Dacron graft and iliac aneurysm was resected concomitantly. A focal perforation of intima and medial wall hematoma were found in the iliac aneurysm. These findings corresponded with penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU). PAU in the abdominal aorta may form the abdominal aortic false aneurysm, and may cause the rupture of aneurysm. It is an critical sign of "aortic catastrophe".