Syphilitic aortitis. A case report.

A case of syphilitic aortitis with total occlusion of the infrarenal aorta without aneurysmal dilatation is presented. Incapacitating claudication of both legs together with pain at rest necessitated an aortobifemoral bypass operation, which resulted in complete relief of symptoms. Histological examination of the aorta showed atherosclerosis together with characteristic perivascular lymphocytic infiltration of the aortic vasa vasorum.