Multiple aneurysms in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: angiography without sequelae.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is an uncommon hereditary disorder of connective tissue. The main characteristics are joint hypermobility and skin hyperextensibility. Easy bruising, poor healing with wide gaping scars, and cardiovascular, gastrointestinal , orthopedic , and occular manifestations may also occur. The syndrome is considered heterogeneous [1] and different variants of the syndrome have been described [1 , 2]. Multiple arterial aneurysms have been noted in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome [3-7], but due to increased vessel friability and vascular complications secondary to angiography, invasive radiographic studies have generally been discouraged [2, 7-10]. There are several reports of serious complications and even death after attempted arteriography [8, 10, 11]. We describe a patient who was felt to represent the ‘ ‘ mitis” variety of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with multiple arterial aneurysms and emphasize that multiple arteriographic procedures can be safely performed.