Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs) of the aorta are defined as atherosclerotic lesions with aortic intima and media ulceration, which may lead to a complete rupture of the adventitial wall. The present article aimed to report an unusual case of a surgically treated patient with abdominal aorta PAU with an illustration of the key features and to review and analyze the existing literature data. PAUs typically develop in elderly and hypertensive patients and in patients with advanced atherosclerosis. Although originally described for the descending thoracic aorta, a similar clinicopathological entity also occurs in the abdominal aorta. Patients with symptoms of a PAU should be treated immediately if they are fit for surgery. Exceptive observation by imaging modalities is necessary in patients with asymptomatic small (<2 cm) PAU, with or without focal dissection.

Coral reef aorta is a rare type of atherosclerotic disease that causes severe calcification in the abdominal aorta.We present a case of coral reef aorta with hemodynamically significant symptomatic aortic stenosis causing intermittent claudication and bilateral cyanosis of the toes.Despite the challenging anatomy for endovascular treatment, the patient underwent successful transfemoral endovascular stent-graft placement.The endovascular intervention with stents is a viable alternative method and, in many cases, constitutes the first choice for the treatment of coral reef aorta.

Femoral artery aneurysms are rare, and aneurysms of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) are even rarer, with ruptured true aneurysms of the SFA the rarest. In the present report, we have described the case of a young patient whose SFA had clinical findings suggestive of an aneurysm rupture, which resulted in the diagnosis of Behçet disease, in accordance with the clinical features of the disease. The patient underwent standard treatment, with aneurysmectomy and interposition of a synthetic graft.

Vagal paragangliomas (VPGLs) represent 70% of humans, providing motor fibers to the larynx. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. These tumors are therapeutically challenging owing to their proximity to vital neck and skull base structures. Early detection decreases surgical morbidity and mortality. Preservation of viable neural tissue is important in advanced disease.