[Spontaneous rupture of an aneuysm of the abdominal aorta into the inferior vena cava].

Rupture of an aortic aneurysm into the inferior vena cava is a rare complication; it represents 3 p. 100 of all ruptured aneurysms. The authors report a case with a typical clinical history and 3 main symptoms : lumbar pain, a pulsatile expansile mass, a continuous abdominal murmur giving rise to a thrill. The diagnosis was confirmed before operation by angiography which showed a fistula. A technical detail is emphasised: clamping of the inferior vena cava opening the aneurysm to reduce the risk of embolism into the right side of the heart during operation.